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THE 


HAIRBREADTH   ESCAPES 


AND 


HUMEROUS  ADYENTURES 


OF 


A  Tolunteer  in  the  Cavalry  Service. 


B-Sr    OnSTE    OF    THEIS/E 

WHO  HAS  DEEN  UNDEK  GENERALS  GRANT,  LEW.  WALLACE,  SQEEMAN,  HALLECK,  E0U8SKA0 
TBOMAS,  AND  KILPATEICK. 


> 


CINCINNATI: 

F.  C.  BROWNE,  PRT.,  8.  E.  COR.    THIRD  AND   SYCAMORE   ST8. 

1865. 


a;  IT 


Eutered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1865, 

Br  THOMAS  W.  FANNING, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of  Ohio. 


EUo| 

P^7    \ 


HAIRBREADTH  ESCAPES 


AND 


HUMEROUS   ADVENTURES. 


Doing  a  confectionary  business  #1^  in  Cincinnati  I  found 
would  not  be  as  productive  in  the  winter  as  was  necessary 
to  a  person  of  family,  and  being-  anxious  to  do  something  for 
my  country,  I  was  induced  to  join  the  5th  Ohio  cavalry,  at 
Camp  Dick  Corwin,  on  the  17th  day  of  September,  1861.  I 
joined  company  H,  of  Captain  John  C,  who  was  shortly  after 
displaced,  when,  like  the  balance  of  his  company,  I  went  with 
forty-five  of  them  to  Lexington,  Kentucky,  where  we  would 
have  joined  a  regiment  of  cavalry,  under  our  former  captain, 
but  that  Colonel  Taylor,  of  our  first  regiment,  sent  for  us,  and 
we  returned  in  a  few  days  thereafter,  having  been  ordered  to 
do  so  by  some  prominent  persons  in  Frankfort.  After  our  re- 
turn, we  were  placed  under  command  of  Captain  P.,  a  mer- 
chant of  Cincinnati,  who   only  remained  a  short  time  ere  he 

resigned.     Our  first  lieutenant,  B.  W.  T n,  was  formerly  a 

railroad  conductor,  and  did,  and  still  continues  to  do  his  busi- 
ness in  a  prompt  and  orderly  manner.  May  all  shoulder-strap 
men  be  of  a  similar  disposition.  In  October  we  were  ordered 
out  to  Camp  Dennison,  to  which  place  we  all  ro5e,  and  fixed 
up  our  tents  within  a  few  hun-dred  yards  of  the  depot.  A  few 
weeks  thereafter  two  of  our  companies  got  into  houses  built 


4  HUMEEOUS  ADVENTUKES  OF  A  TOLUNTEEK. 

there  by  carpenters,  and  there  we  were  comfortably  situated 
while  we  remained.  Being  a  sergeant  in  company  H  previous 
to  our  departure  to  Lexington,  I  was  appointed  to  Quarter 
Master  McFarland's  department,  and  issued,  on  order,  all  the 
clothing,  blankets,  and  horse  materials  as  long  as  we  remained 
there.  Assistant  Quarter  Master  Robinson,  who  principally  did 
all  the  writing,  was  a  gentlemanly  officer  of  immense  knowl- 
edge, and  remained  with  us  a  long  time.  He  was  with  us 
through  Tennessee  and  Mississippi^  and  was  always  loved  and 
respected  by  the  whole  regiment.  May  he  always  do  well  in 
this  world  and  the  next,  we  hope  and  pray.  Camp  Dennison 
is  sometimes  a  pleasant  place  to  reside  in,  but  many  of  our 
boys  were  dissatisfied  because  there  were  several  articles  which 
they  wanted  and  could  not  procure  there.  Consequently  some 
of  them  were  taken  of  "  French  furlouglis"  to  the  city,  and 
were  sometimes  guard-housed  on  their  return,  but  were  shortly 
afterward  let  loose  by  the  colonel,  who  was  very  kind  to  his 
men,  and  hated  very  much  to  see  them  remain  any  length  of 
time  inside  prison  door#>WLt  Camp  Dennison  we  had  plenty  to 
eat,  drink,  and  wear,  and  were  only  muddy  in  winter  when 
walking  around.  Consequently  we,  as  soldiers  in  camp,  did 
excellently  well.  There  are  several  groceries  here,  which 
places  sell  things  very  high,  and  therefore  are  not  very  well 
patronized.  The  owners  are  not  as  wealthy  as  they  might  be 
in  other  places.  About  this  period,  newspapers  were  scarce 
very  frequently,  and  in  order  to  obtain  one,  much  loved  and 
respected  by  all  the  boys  of  our  regiment,  I  wrote  the  follow- 
ing piece  of  poetry  and  sent  it  to  tlie  Times,  which  published 
it  on  the  afternoon  of  December  25th,  1801 : 

VOLUNTEER  POETRY. 


Camp  Dxnsisom,  December  21,  1861. 
E'lUnrs  Cincinnati  Times: 

Gkntlemkn:  As  we  have  not  seen  mucb  notice  of  ourselves,  or  our  regiment,  in 
your  well-read  and  soldierly  sheet,  lately,  we  would  humbly  call  your  kind  attention 
to  the  following  scandalous  productiou,  perpetrated  by  a  "sargint"  in  our  company, 
who,  though  he  strikes  kernlij  and  with  point  at  our  failings,  is,  nevertheless,  rather 
blunt  in  his  opinions.  We  desire,  however,  kind  sirs,  that  you  will  bless  him  with 
print,  though  he  be  d — d  by  the  printers. 

Respectfully,  gentlemen, 

CoiiPAKY  H,  5th  0.  V.  C,  U.  S.  A. 


HDMEKOUS   ADVENTURES    OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  5 

A  FEW  LINES  TO  COMPANY  H,  FIFTH  0.  Y.  C,  U.  S.  A. 


BT  THE  "3ABGIXT. ' 


Since  sojers  are  noted,  wherever  they  go, 
For  frolic  or  fighting,  are  fast  or  are  slow, 
And  each  individual  s  able  to  teach 
The  gum  or  the  grab  game,  within  or  'thout  reach; 
Can  stock  a  canteen  at  a  stand  or  a  run. 
And  prime,  load,  and  fire,  like  a  son-of  a-gun; 
To  pull  from  the  sutler  or  henroost  is  willing; 
With/oemen  or  toomen  is  equally  killing; 
Who's  quick  on  the  draw  when  he  aims  at  an  inn. 
But  slow  in  presenting  when  asked  for  the  tin; 
Who's  fame,  like  small  change,  lies  loosely  about  him, 
(The  wag  knows  the  world  could  wa^'- on  without  him;) 
Who  pants  for  a  breech  in  observance  of  law, 
Tho'  d — d  are  the  breeches  he's  pant-ing  to  draw. 
In  ev'ry  mad  antic,  the  top,  branch,  and  root. 
Hail!  hail!  fellow-sojer,  we  meet  and  salute. 
Whom  first  have  we  here?     What,  our  orderly?     Pond? 
The  lines,  my  dear  officer,  you  are  beyond. 
What's  out?     Is  the  company  on  the  "  French"  march? 
The  laundress,  Sam  Howell,  is  she  out  of  starch? 
The  regiment's  dead,  if  Dame  Truth  holds  my  fears. 
That  Scofield  and  Allen  are — drunk  pioneers. 
Where's  Oldiug  and  Munay?     Both  missing,  you  say? 
Then,  bottles,  I  pity  your  bellies  to-day! 
O,  Davis,  friend  Sam,  and  Pat  Dignan,  so  true. 
Are  ye  stagg'ring  off  'thout  a  "feller  ye  knew?  " 
And  happy  George  Ludlam  I  always  thought  that 
You'd  break  me  the  brick  you  had  whole  in  your  hat. 
Farewell,  John  McCracken  and  Jim  and  Mike  Mee, 
My  spirits  are  gone  with  your  spirited  spree  ! 
Not  a  Rum  go  is  this — Jim  left  in  the  lurch 
By  the  Wansbros,  Gin-u-wine  members  of  church. 
This  day  sees  me  ylZe-ing  since  Adam  forgot, 
And  Webster,  to  bring  me  where  they  went — to  pot ! 
And  Overturf,  Rice,  and  our  bully  dragoon, 
Ed.  Brinkley,  are  now  in  some  lager  saloon, 
Mit  swei  hoondert  lager  mine  stoomak  to  slake  ! 
Oh,  Smith,  Olley  Smith,  bring  back  something  to  take. 
And  King,  our  great  blow-hard,  our  blacksmith,  where's  he? 
In  scratching  for  whisky,  he's  itching  to  flea 
To  Bacchus'  blind  court  has  our  Cottman  withdrew? 
Then  Mars  has  but  given  the  devil  bis  due. 
Let  Venus  preside  where  our  Lawrence  has  fled, 
He'd  rise  from  his  grave  being  "seven  weeks  dead  !  " 


nUMEKOUS  ADVENTUEE3  OF  A  VOLUNTEEE. 

Where's  DoUiu,  the  Bowl'd  Sojer-Boy?    Is  he  gone. 

With  his  army  of  guards?     Ochone  !  and  ochone  ! 

And  Brennun,  our  John*"  JF'arc  the  d'lmlis  he? 

Blur-an-ouns  !  't  wasn't  poteen  he  wint  for,  d'ye  see? 

The  devil,  Lord  save  us,  't  was  prompted  the  tramp — 

For  scamp'ring  off,  John,  ye'r  the  divil's  own  schampF 

There's  Appleby,  too,  he  should  be  an  instructor; 

Such  conduct  becomes  not  a  railroad  conduct-or." 

And  Caldwell's  called  ill,  at  this  juncture,  I'd  say, 

For  tho'  "there's  no  pitch  hot,  Old  Satan's  to  pay." 

Where's  Higgins'  horse?     He's  not  gone!  have  a  carel 

Where  Higgins'  horse  is,  his  master  is  there. 

And  Johnson  and  Mayhugh,  I'd  take  my  best  oath. 

No  mudhole  is  curtained  and  spread  over  holh! 

Oh,  Orderly,  what's  your  advice  that  we  do? 

Invoke  the  red  spirits,  the  gray,  white,  and  blue? 

Call  out  to  the  gods,  with  a  Roman  despair. 

And  ask  how  our  comrades  are  roamin',  and  where? 

The  adjutant's  coming!  we'll  tell  him  the  story. 

And  die  like  true  martyrs,  iu  flame  covered  glory. 

Excuse  me,  good  Orderly,  but  have  you  got 

A  chew  of  tobacco?     You  say  that  you've  not! 

Or  whisper — come  nearer — pray  give  me  a  dose 

Of  that  same  liquid  dye  which  painted  your  nose. 

All  gone,  you've  remarked.     Then  why  stand  prating  thus? 

The  men  are — abed,  you  inelegant  "cuss," 

"  They  have  not  deserted  then,  Tom,  as  it  seems?" 

Yes,  they  have  departed,  friend  Pond,  to  their  dreams. 

What,  anger 'd!  good  sir;  it  was  in  mere  sport 

I  made  this  addenda  to  your  "morning  report." 

If  first  when  we'd  met  you'd  "presented  "  your  flask, 

And  "ordered"  your  quid,  there  had  not  been  such  mask. 

But  frolic  is  ours,  as  I  said  at  the  first. 

And  you're  not  of  orderly  sergeants  the  worst. 

Excuse,  pray,  the  hand  which  invented  this  tail. 

And  call  me  a.  fence  post  whenever  you  rail. 

And  so  fair  good  night,  sweetest  dreams  and  repo.se. 

In  seeking  our  couch  we'll  each  follow — his  nose; 

Yet,  fearing  the  colonel  might  hear  of  the  trick, 

I'll  otr  to  the  doctor,  pretending  I'm  sick, 

And  say  our  lieutenants,  both  gentlemen  civil. 

Have  ordered  my  physical  ills  to  the  devil. 

Or  else  to  my  captain,  McFarland,  I'll  hie. 

And  if  there's  small  wool  why  there'll  be  but  small  cry. 

All's  well;  I've  eichungod  my  old  hoots  for  a  blanket. 

Each  covers  a  calf,  fur  which,  Heaven,  I  thank  it. 


HUMEBOUS    ADVENTURES    OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  7 

About  the  end  of  February  we  were  ordered  off,  and  there- 
fore departed  to  Cincinnati,  getting  on  board  steamers  for  Ten- 
nessee river,  which  we  immediately  accomplished,  at  the  same 
time  bidding  farewell  to  all  our  friends  and  relatives  who  resided 
near  by.  Then  we  left  the  City  of  Cincinnati  on  six  or  seven 
steamers.  Major  Scherer,  our  hero  in  all  military  matters,  com- 
manding the  first  battallion,  Major  Kicker  the  second,  and 
Major  Hayes  the  third. 

Our  boat,  the  Bostona  No.  2,  not  getting  away  until  one  day 
after  the  balance  had  left,  on  account  of  the  lot  of  goods  and 
horses  we  had  to  place  on  board  ;  we,  however,  managed  to 
get  everything  fixed  on  her,  and  away  she  went  down  stream 
toward  Dixie,  like  a  good  traveler,  and  we  bade  good-bye  to  our 
homes  until  we  ended  the  war,  which  we  expected  to  do  very 
soon,  but  which  we  have  not  yet  accomplished,  as  we  expected 
to  do  at  farthest  in  a  month  or  two. 

Quarter  Master  McFarland  was  on  board  this  steamer,  and 
obtained  cabin  fare  for  "One  of  Them"  clear  through  to  Crump 
landing,  where  a  portion  of  us,  the  third  battallion,  got  off,  as 
we  were  ordered  to  do  by  General  Grant,  and  were  placed  under 
General  Lew.  Wallace,  whose  division  was  placed  at  this  point, 
four  miles  below  Pittsburg  landing. 

General  Grant  is  at  Savanna,  some  five  miles  below  Crump's 
landing,  and  from  thence  orders  our  men  to  certain  positions 
on  the  river  above  him.  Previous  to  getting  this  far  up  the 
Tennessee  we  stopped  at  a  destroyed  railroad  bridge,  and 
viewed  it  as  a  handsome  place  to  remain  at  for  a  few  days. 
We  discovered,  amongst  half  a  dozen  houses,  one  belonging  to 
a  rebel  doctor,  which  was  filled  with  medicine  and  books,  and 
which  the  boys  destroyed.  For  what  other  reason  than  that  he 
caused  the  trying  by  a  jury  there  of  a  Union  man,  and  endeav- 
ored to  have  him  hung  because  he  was  in  favor,  previous  to 
our  arrival,  of  the  American  flag  and  Government  feeling,  and 
was  born  and  bred  in  the  North.  This  doctor  was  said  to  be  a 
poisoner  and  villain  in  every  respect,  and  we  found  and  im- 
prisoned him  on  board  a  gunboat,  until  wo  could  send  him  off 
to  sotoe  United  States  prison,  as  a  rebel  villain.  We  did  so, 
and  then  proceeded  on  our  way  up  stream,  I  feeling  so  good  on 


6  5UMEEOI7B   ADVENTUKES    OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

account  of  one  rebel  capture,  that  I  immediately  wrote  to  the 
Cinciunati  Times  newspaper  an  account  of  our  present  pro- 
ceedings, and  expecting  the  kind  permission  of  permittal  to 
write  all  the  news  I  could  to  that  friendly  and  accomplished 
paper  whenever  I  could  do  so. 

The  paymaster,  Major  McDowell,  was  on  board  our  boats, 
and  paid  us  off  between  the  bridge  and  where  we  landed,  which 
made  the  boys  feel  fine,  because  they  could  send  by  a  United 
States  Agent,  who  was  at  that  time  in  company  with  Major 
McDowell,  all  their  money  home,  if  necessary.  Many  an  one 
of  us  did  so  very  gladly,  and  a  better  cash  business  never  hap- 
pened us  while  we  have  been  in  the  service  as  soldiers.  Not 
once. 

March  10,  1862. — To-day  we  passed  an  elegant  farm  house, 
on  the  Tennessee  river,  at  which  all  the  darkies  in  the  peighboi- 
hood  seemed  congregated,  who  spread  their  ivories,  and  what- 
ever rag  of  a  hadkerchief  or  other  thing  they  could  raise  as  a 
token  of  welcome  to  us  to  Dixie,  as  it  existed  here.  Just  below 
there  is  a  site  [for  a  fortification,  which  seems  a  far  more  eli- 
gible position  than  Fort  Donelson  or  Fort  Henry,  and,  if  ap- 
pearances do  not  always  deceive,  the  rebels  might  have  made 
a  stand  with  far  greater  prospect  of  success  than  at  the  former 
positions.  The  woods  along  the  river  are  very  attractive  here, 
not  only  in  appearance,  but  because  they  shelter  fat  animals 
known  in  Porkopolis,  and  fowls,  which  seem  to  enjoy  the  grat- 
iMcation  of  shade  and  solitude  in,  this  most  critical  period  of 
their  existence. 

.  Near  the  river  hills  we  see,  as  we  advance,  scouts  of  rebel 
cavalry  calmly  looking  at  our  formidable  appearance,  and 
wondering,  no  doubt,  at  Yankee  impudence  in  thus  desecrating 
the  sacred  southern  soil.  Passed  Brownsville  landing  at  9 
o'clock  A.  M.  Kiverb  anks  low  all  along  this  morning.  Some 
iifteen  miles  above  here  a  bold  rocky  cliff,  directly  facing  us  as 
we  advance,  varies  all  the  appearances  considerably,  it  being 
the  most  prominent  position  we  have  seen  along  this  river.  The 
chain  of  hills  here  are  large,  and  bear  north  and  south,  and 
these,  nature's  fortifications,  principally  composed  of  stonQ, 
completely  command   the  river,  up  and  down,  for  miles,  ^ft^ 


HUMEEOUS  ADVENTUKES  OL  A  VOLUNl'EEB.  9 

why  they  are  not  now  bristling  with  rebel  cannon  is  one  of 
the  singularities  of  this  war.*"  No  force,  no  matter  how  su- 
perior in  point  of  numbers,  could  have  been  brought  success- 
fully against  this  stronghold,  and  our  bravery  would,  I  feat, 
have  failed  to  overcome  a  tolerable  resistance  of  the  enemy 
here. 

Our  band  is  now  playing  the  "Mocking  Bird  "  on  the  hurri- 
cane roof  of  the  boat,  and  as  we  pass  along  upwards  the  ne- 
groes, men,  women,  and  children,  hurrah  for  us,  provided  there 
are  no  white  persons  near  them ;  in  fact,  on  both  shores  the 
blackbirds  greet  the  music  playing  mocking  birds  and  their 
companions  with  a  hearty  approbation,  and  we  slide  past  in 
good  feeling  of  mind  and  body,  and  think  ourselves  complete 
masters  in  every  situation  we  have  now,  or  shall  hereafter  ar- 
rive at  in  any  slave  position  of  this  Union. 

Obtained  a  rebel  bullet  to-day  from  a  sailor  on  one  of  our 
gunboats,  who  stopped  at  the  same  landing,  and  which  was 
flattened  against  our  gunboat  at  Pittsburg  landing,  and  am  very 
much  obliged  for  the  present,  I  am  sure. 

Major  McDowell  is  on  board  another  boat  going  up,  and  has 
paid  off  the  greater  portion  of  our  regiment.  Colonel  Taylor 
is  indeed  a  generous  man,  who  endears  himself  to  all  by  every 
good  impulse.  His  kindly  nature  overflows  with  honorable 
liberality.  Just  now  he  has  made  a  soldier  happy,  who  was 
unfortunately  overlooked  on  the  pay  roll,  and  who,  but  for  the 
colonel,  would  have  had  no  funds  to  send  his  suffering  family. 
The  colonel  presented  liim  with  twenty  dollars  in  specie,  in 
order  that  he  would  send  it  with  gladness  to  his  wife  and  family. 
May  God  reward  him! 

We  saw  General  Sherman  this  afternoon,  on  the  steamer 
Continental ;  he  is  a  noble  looking  soldier  and  a  determined 
one,  who  will  not  belie  his  looks,  or  we  are  all  much  deceived ; 
the  men  with  him  seem  to  think  very  highly  of  his  talents  as 
a  soldier,  and  his  kindness  as  a  man.  May  he  ever  remain  eo, 
is  all  our  hopes. 

4  o^ clock  P.  M. — We  have  just  arrived  at  Savanna,  which  is 
a  small-sized  place  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Tennessee  river, 
and  seemingly  of  very  little  importance  in  a  strategic  or  other 


10  HUMEROUS    ADVENTUSES    OF  A    VOLUNTEEB. 

point  of  view.  Twenty-ei^'ht  steamers,  filled  with  troops,  and 
two  gnnboats,  have  arrived  here  before  us.  Just  previous  to 
-a  view  ol'  this  place,  we  stopped  at  a  secesh  corn  crib,  and 
profited  our  liorses  thereby^ 

We  have  lauded  with  several  other  steamers  opposite  to  Sa- 
vanna, and  our  Zouaves  are  running  round  with  cackling  hens 
^nd  uncrowing  roosters  undertheir  arms,  and  one  fellow  is  un- 
dressing a  cock  under  its  owners  very  window.  This  is  not  as 
it  should  be,  but  men  are,  some  of  them,  untameable.  The 
negroes  seem  well  contented  with  their  masters,  and  are  prob- 
ah'y  satisfied^  or  seemingly  so,  at  the  present  time,  but  they  do 
;not  care  about  mingling  with  some  of  us  ;  their  good  behavior, 
however,  is  possibly  owing  to  the  presence  of  several  of  their 
masters  and  our  general  orders  for  the  time  being. 

One  of  our  gunboats  started  up  the  river  this  evening,  to  re- 
connoitre, and  she  only  proceeded  some  five  or  six  miles  when 
she  had  a  skirmish  with  a  thousand  or  two  of  the  enemy.  She 
has  returned  to  us  unscathed,  and  we  move  up  to  attend  to  the 
gentlemen  in  the  morning. 

March  12,  1S62.— We  are  here  still,  and,  contra  omnium  ex- 
pectationem,  hear  no  notes  of  preparation  to-day,  so  far.  Boats 
full  of  soldiers  continue  to  arrive  here,  however,  and  we  must 
now  be  at  least  fifty  thousand  strong. 

We  laughed  heartily  to-day  at  the  escapede  of  two  infantry 
soldiers,  who,  influenced  to  possess  a  secesh  chicken,  addressed 
a  slave  woman,  as  black  as  Erebus,  off"eriiig  to  purchase  from 
her.  The  woman's  "eh,  eh,"  however,  was  a  very  energetic  and 
.final  negative,  and  the  rebuked  twain  drew  ofi"  a  sliort  distance 
to  consider  the  chances,  while  the  slave  entered  the  house 
to  attend  to  three  fine  corn  cakes  browning  beautifully  before 
the  fire.  After  the  council  of  war,  the  two  outsiders  separated, 
one  sneaking  round  to  the  back  door,  the  other  advancing  boldly 
to  tlie  front;  he  again  made  proposals  to  buy  from  tlie  wench, 
but  again  received  decided  refusals  from  Miss  Dinah,  who  did 
not  seem  to  be  in  M-ant  of  money  at  that  time, -or  from  any  such 
persons.  Cunningly  displaying  the  money,  he  seemed  at  least 
to  excite  the  woman's  cupidity  to  such  a  degree,  that  she  paid 
but  small  attention  to  the  cakes  inside.     At  this  moment  tU© 


HUMEE0U8  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.         11 

other  soldier  entered  the  "back  door,  which  was  also  open,  and 
seizing  upon  the  pones,  he  made  tracks.  The  cakes,  however, 
were  warmer  than  he  supposed,  which  led  to  his  detection  as 
the  colored  lady  heard  the  noise  he  made  in  letting  them  drop, 
and  so  she  ran  to  recover  her  lost  property.  The  sojer  was  too 
quick  on  the  grab  for  her,  seized  them  again  and  got  to  the 
fence,  pursued  by  the  negress  with  her  club  in  hand,  until  the 
fire  in  his  rear  becoming  too  hot,  he  was  forced  to  jump  sud- 
denly into  the  road,  losing,  by  dropping,  two  and  retaining  one 
of  the  stolen  cakes,  with  which  he  successfully  made  off  as 
rapidly  as  possible. 

The  other  rascally  partner,  the  front  door  talking  man,  swore 
at  his  friend,  calling  him  thief,  rascal,  and  all  other  obnoxious 
epithets  he  could  think  of,  and  finislied  by  advising  the  slave 
to  run  and  catch  the  villain  who  took  her  cakes,  and  he  would 
assist  her  in  so  doing.  This  she  was  foolish  enough  to  do,  when 
her  adviser,  strongly  tempted,  no  doubt,  by  the  chance  offered 
to  him,  picked  up  the  two  corn  cakes  lying  so  very  invitingly 
within  his  grasp,  when  he  too  made  tracks  and  of  course  got 
away  with  his  eatable  plunder; 

We  who  were  present  were  sorry  for  the  poor  woman,  and 
yet  we  failed  to  restrain  our  laughter,  when  she  returned  and 
we  observed  her  astonishment  when  she  discovered  the  trick 
played  upon  her  by  the  partner  of  the  fellow  who  had  entered 
the  house  and  stole  the  cakes.  Raising,  (on  discovery  of  the 
other  one's  absence,)  her  hands  to  heaven,  she  exclaimed: 

"  Wal,  dere  !  ef  dat  oder  Linkun  man  isn't  gone  and  stole  too  ! 
Jes'  as  I  spected  he'd  do,  jes'  as  I  spected  !  Guess  dey'd  better 
come  and  take  old  nigger  too,  'kase  we  might  as  well  go  now 
as  any  time.     Dey'll  take  all  any  how." 

"Go  'long,  white  man,"  she  said  excite.dly  to  another  United 
States  soldier  who  pretended  to  condole  with  her.  "  You  jes' 
as  bad's  de  res',  an'  ef  you  kin  fight  de  secesli  same's  you  kin 
steal  from  de  darkies,  you'll  need  as  many  stearaboatis  apiece 
as  you  all  got  here  now,  to  convey  to  de  Norf  all  do  plunder 
you  take  off  de  niggas."  » 

12  o'clock  M. — Our  regiment  has  received  orders  to  mount, 
and  all  are  busy  in  preparation.     Sabres  are  hastily  buckled  on, 


12         HDMER0U8  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEK. 

pistols  and  carbines  are  examined,  horses  saddled,  and  every 
thing-  betokens  war  in  reality.  The  Fifth  O.  V.  0.  will  see  ser- 
vice now,  as  they  are  the  vanguard  of  this  imoaense  army,  and 
they  will  of  course  be  the  first  to  encounter  the  enemy,  who  are 
eaid  to  be  in  immense  force  a  few  miles  distant  from  us  here. 
Five  Union,  but  Tennessee  farmers  have  just  come  in  and  report 
the  enemy  but  a  short  distance  in  the  interior.  These  farmers 
have  just  escaped  being  pressed  into  the  Confederate  service, 
by  running  away  and  seeking  our  protection.  One  of  these 
fellows  who  seems  rather  a  young  person,  and  is  of  tolerable 
good  looks,  seems  to  take  it  hard  about  the  situation  in  which 
he  left  his  wife  and  small  family,  and  he  talks  as  though  jealousy 
existed  in  his  thoughts  to  a  large  extent  at  the  present  time. 
His  ideas  of  rebel  actions  are  not  very  good,  and  his  thoughts 
of  a  wife's  treatment  and  her  own  conduct  are  not  as  good  as 
a  wise  man  would  publicly  express. 

4  o'clock  P.  M. — The  whole  of  our  force  is  ordered  to  ad- 
Tance  in  the  steamers,  and  as  I  write  this,  a  portion  of  us  are 
moving  up  stream. 

8  a'' clock  P.  M. — General  Lew.  Wallace's  brigade,  accompa- 
nied by  the  third  battalion  of  the  Fifth  O.  V.  C,  started  up  the 
river,  led  by  a  gunboat,  in  order  to  reconnoitre  for  a  fort  held 
by  the  rebels,  five  miles  above  Savanna,  at  Crump's  landing. 
We  are  almost  certain  of  a  brush,  but  go  armed  in  a  just  caus0 
and  fearless  of  consequences.  We  have  arrived  at  our  desti- 
nation, where  we  are  to  remain  permanently  with  Wallace's 
division,  the  right  wing  of  General  Grant's  army,  while  the 
main  body  is  to  go  four  miles  farther,  to  a  place  called  Pitts- 
burg landing.  All  are  to  await  events  in  their  encampments. 
May  the  enemy  soon  be  here ;  we  wish  to  meet  them  and  whale 
them  as  they  deserve. 

Wallace's  brigade  is  composed  of  the  Eighth  Missouri  in- 
fantry, Eleventh  and  Twenty-fourth  Indiana,  Forty-fourth  Illi- 
nois, and  our  third  battalion  of  cavalry,  beside  other  regiments* 
These  J^re  all  good  soldiers  and  are  anxious  for  fighting  and 
whippitig,  wliicli  we  hope  soon  to  accomplish.  Our  tents  are 
up  and  we  feel  all  right  here,  as  this  seems  a  nice  place  though 
nearly  houseless. 


nUMEROUS  ADVENTURES  ,  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.         19t 

March  IWi^  1862. — Our  battallion  is  already  ordered  out  to 
service ;  we  are  to  burn  two  railroad  bridges,  twenty  miles 
distant,  on  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  railroad,  near  Bethel, 
Tennessee. 

The  boys  started  at  12  o'clodk  last  night,  shown  the  way  by 
Major  Hurst,  formerly  a  storekeeper  in  Furdy,  Mississippi,  and 
a  born  southern  man ;  but  a  Union  person  who  has  been  badly 
treated  by  the  secesh  because  his  feelings  were  in  favor  of 
Unionism  all  the  time.  His  store  was  taken  from  him,  and. 
his  family  made  prisoners  until  they  retired  to,  and  lived  with, 
their  relatives  near  by  ;  but  Hurst  fled  in  time  and  got  to  us 
soon  enough.  So  he  is  safe  enough  though  bold  as  a  lion  and 
brave  as  a  bull-dog. 

11  o'clock  P.  M. — Our  boys    have   started    on    horseback  to 

destroy  these    bridges,  company  H,  Captain   T n,  leading 

tlie  van;  but  the  weather  is  rainy  and  dark,  and  they  have  to 
go  private  ways  to  be  successful  in  reaching  the  place  and  doing 
the  duty  they  are  ordered  to  do.  Major  Hayes  commands  them. 
The  soldiers  lost  their.way  in  the  woods  as  they  advanced,  and 
it  took  them  about  ten  hours  to  reach  the  rebel  scouts  guarding 
the  bridges,  whom  they  immediately  attacked  and  routed,  cap- 
turing some  nine  or  ten  prisoners  and  thereafter  destroying  the 
bridges.  While  they  were  cutting  away  the  second  and  last,  a- 
train  filled  with  rebel  soldiers  came  along  ;  but  the  engiuecry 
seeing  the 'danger  of  this  locality,  immediately  stopped,  and 
our  soldiers  had  to  get  away  soon,  which  they  did  without  ios-i 
ing  a  man  ;  getting  to  camp  by  4  P.  M.  next  day.'      ■  -..ui 

It  was  a  good  idea  to  destroy  the  transportation  routes  of  the' 
secesh  rascals,  as  they  were  in  several  places  at  that  time,  and 
the  idea  of  keeping  them  where  they  were  was  a  very  good  ono 
on  our  general's  part. 

March  15, 18U2. — Our  boys  have  again  departed  to  finish  the 
bridge-burning  duties  they  have  to  perform,  and  went  a  distance 
of  tl}irty  miles  from  here,  near  where  the  enemy  has,  it  is  re- 
ported, a  force  of  about  eight  thousand  infantry  and  seven 
hundred  cavalry.  The  remarks  of  our  infantry  upon  the  setting 
out  of  oiar  boys  that  "th,ere  goes  i\\e  green  cavalry  on  a  scout," 
was  rather  uncalled  for ;  and  the  result  of  «>ui'  going   away 


14  HUMEROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

Bhowcd  very  plainly  that  soraetimes  the  gentlemen  on  foot  are 
neither  "prophets  nor  sons  of  prophets."  We  retnrned  after 
performances  of  duties  whicli  we,  as  well  as  the  infantry,  en- 
joyed on  our  return  quite  well  indeed.  General  Smith  highly 
complimented  us,  and  in  general  order  No.  4,  gave  the  thanks 
of  the  whole  division  to  ns,  officers  and  men,  for  gallant  and 
meritorious  conduct. 

March  17. — The  infantry  are  raising  their  tents  on  shore  this 
morning,  which  is  a  good  idea,  sinbe  the  steamers  have  become 
dirty  because  of  being  overcrowded,  and  consequently  are  un- 
healthy. The  water  is  also  bad,  as  we  have  to  make  use  of 
the  Tennessee  river  as  a  spring  to  drink  from,  and  it  is  loo  muddy 
at  present  for  any  such  business.  In  consequence  of  having  to 
drink  this  water  a  great  many  of  our  soldiers  have  taken  the 
diarrhoea,  which  was  at  first  seemjngly  of  a  mild  type,  but  has 
become  fatal  in  some  instances  here  recently.  We  trust  not  to 
remain  here  a  great  length  of  time,  to  get  rusty,  like  unused 
blades,  for  want  of  proper  handling. 

What  magnificent  weather  we  are  having  the  last  two  days. 
The  birds  arc  entertaining  themselves  and  us  with  sweet  songs  ; 
the  trees  are  in  bud  and  blossom,  and  in  fact  all  animated  na- 
ture except  man  alone  is  enjoying  that  peace,  happiness,  and 
Bwect  repose  their  Lord  and  Maker  intended  them  for  here  on 
earth. 

March  19. — What  a  mournful  sight  is  a  soldier's  funeral ! 
Some  poor  fellow  is  being  carried  to  his  'last  resting  place  this 
morning  by  his  comrades,  witli  reversed  arms,  slowly  marching 
to  solemn  music,  with  grief  depicted  on  their  countenances! 
Alas!  how  many  of  tiiese  brave  fellows  now  full  of  life  and 
health,  may  fill  a  grave  on  the  banks  of  the  Tennessee  ere  they 
leave  it!  The  remark  of  Captain  Carroll,  of  the  steamer  J.  B. 
Ford,  on  observing  the  procession,  that  "the  water  of  this  river 
would  send  many  more  of  us  the  same  road,  if  we  stayed  here 
much  longer,"  strikes  us,  like  one  of  Cicero's  orations,  as  being 
forcible,  and  much  to  the  ])oint.  Why  are  we  kept  here  idle? 
The  general  commanding  this  brigade  has  ordered  the  men  on 
Bhorc,  in  order  to  give  them  the  benefit  of  pure  air  and  spring' 
water,  wliich,  if  accomplished,  will  certainly  lessen  the  tendency 


HUMEKOUS  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.         15 

to  disease  amongst  ns,  and  probably  induce  this  Tennessee 
looseness  to  relieve  us  of  its  presence.  A  portion  of  our  bri- 
gade, composed  of  a  few  companies  of  infantry,  completely 
surrounded  one  hundred  rebel  soldiers  last  night  and  tookthera 
all  prisoners.  We  are  to  go  out  scouting  again  shortly  after 
dinner.  Eight  hundred  additional  rebel  prisoners  parsed  us 
here  to-day  j  they  were  taken  by  Smith's  division  some  miles 
beyond  us.  Immediately  thereafter  we  went  out  scouting,  com- 
manded by  Major  Hayes. 

8  o'clock  P.  M. — We  have  just  returned  from  our  foray,  and 
a  glorious  one  it  was,  not  so  much  from  its  benefit  to  the  cause 
perhaps  as  to  our  personal  gratification.  We  left  our  camp,  at 
Crump's  landing,  at  1  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  along  an  excellent 
road  to  Adamsville,  five  miles  from  the  river,  where  the  rebel 
cavalry  reported  four  hundred  strong,  (fifty  more  than  ours,) 
had  told  the  denizens  in  a  boastful  manner,  that  they  would  meet 
us  to-day  and  drive  us  to  h — 1,  or  some  other  sea-poit;  but  the 
lads  of  the  South  took  good  care  to  be  out  of  the  way  when  we 
arrived  ;  consequently  we  thought  we  would  pay  them  a  home 
visit  in  a  civil  sort  of  a  way,  and  so  kept  on  close  to  Purdy, 
where  five  regiments  of  rebel  infantry  divide  their  quarters 
with  those  boastfully  chivalric  riders  who  failed  to  meet  us 
where  they  represented  they  ^^ould.  Three  miles  this  side  of 
Purdy  we  met  the  first  armed  rebel  pickets,  whom  wo  drove 
in  in  company  with  their  confreres,  and  captured  some  of  them 
in  sight  of  their  whole  army.  We  halted  on  top  of  a  hill  in 
full  view,  and  within  a  mile  of  Purdy,  which  latter  seems  to  be 
a  place  of  some  consequence.  It  is  well  situated  in  a  valley, 
and  excellently  built  for  a  small  Tennessee  town.  Here  we 
beheld  the  whole  rebel  army  as  they  came  on  toward  us  in  a 
double-quick;  and  a  fine  sight  it  was.  They  were  apparently 
well  armed  and  drilled,  and  were  headed  by  a  gallant  looking 
general  officer  who  seemed  quite  in  earnest,  until  he  saw  the 
buckeye  eye-balls,  which  had  the  efiect  to  cove  his  present 
ardor,  and  he  therefore  ordered  a  halt,  while  we,  too  few  to 
face  so  iriimense  a  force,  after  firing  a  couple  of  rounds,  slowly 
and  in  good  order  retired  unmolested ;  never  even  going  as  fast 
as  a  trot  until  we  reached  our  camp  again.     The  only  loss  we 


16         nUMEKOUS  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUNTKEE. 

met  with  was  in  horse  flesh,  Lieutenant  Murray's  animal,  a 
noble  brute,  being-  killed  in  the  picket  fight.  Our  gallant  fel- 
lows seemed  soldiers  born,  and  knew  not  their  present  vocation 
until  they  saw  and  encountered  the  enemy. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  country  we  passed  through  yesterday 
are  much  divided  in  opinion  on  this  war.  The  greater  number 
strongly  avow  Union  principles  and  wish  for  peace  and  frater- 
nity again.  The  few  opposed  to  these  sentiments  are  bitterly 
prominent,  and  take  every  way  to  injure  those  whom  they 
suspect  to  favor  peace  on  any  conditions  whatever. 

One  poor  old  man  whom  Ave  met  yesterday  at  Adamsville,; 
told  us  that  his  only  son,  a  youth  eighteen  years  of  age,  had 
been  forced,  on  pain  of  death,  to  join  the  rebel  Captain  Piatt's 
Company  of  cavalry,  and  made  to  assist  in  the  robbery  of  his 
own  father  and  his  neighbors  of  their  corn,  fodder,  and  pro- 
visions. He  (the  old  man)  begged  us,  with  tears  in  his  eyes, 
to  inform  him  if  Piatt's  whole  company  was  not  captured  at 
Savanna  yesterday  by  a  portion  of  our  army.  We  told  him 
we  believed  they  were,  and  that  if  his  son  was  amongst  them, 
he,  the  father,  could  get  to  see  him  by  an  application  to  the 
commanding  officer,  which  gratified  the  old  man  intensely,  and 
he  limped  away,  (for  he  was  lame,  poor  soul,)  after  distributing 
all  the  tobacco  he  had  with  him  amongst  us,  at  the  same  time 
blessing  our  noble  cause,  and  all  concerned  in  upholding  it. 
lie  was  only  too  happy  to  know  that  his  son  was  safe  in  our 
hands,  and  he  said  he  would  make  his  little  household  happy 
when  he  got  heme  witii  the  intelligence  he  had  received  from 
us. 

The  country  along  our  route  was  composed  of  a  sandy,  but 
in  some  places  a  well  watered  soil,  which  must,  if  well  culti- 
vated, be  productive  in  corn,  potatoes,  and  fruit,  which  we  had 
some  strong  evidences  of  as  we  went  along.  The  people  seem 
well  to  do,  and  would  be  undoubtedly  happy  in  peaceful"  times, 
as  they  are  comfortably  housed,  cleanly,  and  healthy  at  this 
date. 

When  Peace  smiles  upon  a  bountiful  land  how  happy  are 
its  people !  how  much  to  be  envied,  and  how  great  our  Father 
iu  Heaven  should  be  glorified  I     But  when  a  nation,  against 


HIIMER0U8  aDVENTlTBES  OP  A  VOLUlTrKEai  IT 

the  dictates  of  humanity  and  the  commands  of  the  Supreme 
Being,  engages  in  war  against  each  othei^,'  brother  against 
brother  and  father  against  son,  then  the  lessons  of  life  can 
be  gathered  from  every  hill  top  and  valley  in  the  land. 
May  this  soon  end,  and  southern  men  again  acknowledge  thei* 
duty  to  the  flag  of  our  whole  country. 

General  Smith  has  just  issued  an  order  making  it  death  to 
steal,  or  carry  away  unpaid  for,  the  property  of  any  person! 
whatever,  and  intends  enforcing  it  strictly.  This  is  as  it  should 
be.  What  right  have  we  to  take  and  carry  away  the  goods  of 
otliers?  One  of  the  beneficial  effects  resulting  from  this  order 
was  apparent  the  other  day,  and  saved  the  innocent  females 
in  an  elegant  mansion  near  our  camp.  The  matter  was  this : 
A  doctor  of  seccsh  proclivities,  on  the  approach  of  our  troops, 
fled  to  the  rebel  camp,  leaving  everything  behind  him,  evea 
his  wife  and  daughter,  (the  latter  a  beautiful  young  lady  of  sev- 
enteen, highly  educated  and  accomplished,)  to  the  mercy  of 
the  invaders.  Our  force  pitched  their  tents  in  close  vicinity  to 
their  residence,  and  hearing  of  this  shortly  after,  a  parly  con- 
sisting of  twenty  or  thirty  soldiers,  proceeded  at  once  toward 
the  place,  in  order  to  raze  the  house  to  the  ground  and  plunder 
it  of  its  contents. 

''On  the  first  appearance  of  our  fleets,  the  ladies,  being  de- 
serted by  the  husband  and  father  as  before  state<;l,  made  prep- 
arations fur  immediate  departure,  and  had  packed  some  portion 
of  the  household  goods  when  the  noisy,  riotous  crew  arrived, 
intent  on  the  work  of  destruction.  They  commenced  operations 
by  breaking  in  the  front  door  to  the  extreme  fright  of  the 
women  and  their  colored  people,  and  seizing  the  piano  and 
other  elegant  articles  of  furniture,  with  loud  shouts  and  despite 
the  tears  of  the  trembling  ladles,  carried  them  off  toward  the 
door,  intending  to  deliver  them  to  the  tender  mercies  of  that 
portion  of  their  party  remaining  outside.  At  this  moment  one 
of  our  cavalry  teamsters,  named'  Perkins,  attracted  thither  by 
the  noise,  now  stood  at  the  door,  and,  remonstrating  with  the 
ruffians,  begged  them,  for  the  sake  of  their  own  mothers  and 
sisters  at  home,  to  desist.  This  gallant  fellow  would  then  have 
met  with  harsh  treatment,  but  that  an  oflicer  casually  passing 


X$         HUMEEOU8  ADVENTDKE8  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

the  house  ft(  this  time,  came  to  Perkins's  assistance,  and  com- 
manded the  felli/ws  to  disperse,  which  they  did  \cry  grnm- 
bliugly;  and  a  guard  being  placed  at  the  door  relieved  the 
inmates  from  farther  molestation.  The  order  of  our  general 
inflicting  the  death  penalty  lor  any  similar  outrage  in  future, 
has  frightened  the  rowdy  portion  of  our  men  into  quiescence, 
and  has  placed  a  wholesome  restraint  upon  all  evil-disposed 
pnes  we  are  cursed  with.  This  looks  like  civilized  warfare, 
and  fanatical  pulpit  thumpers  and  bigoted  men  will  discover 
that  brave  men  enlist  to  tight  the  battles  of  their  country  and 
no^.  to  rob,  plunder,  and  destroy. 

March  22. — One  of  6ur  lientenar|^8  shot  a  colored  servant 
yesterday,  by  accident.  These  frequently  recurring  accidents 
are  uncalled  for.  There  are  too  many  gentlemen  in  tliis  army, 
and  too  few  poor  individuals.  The  fir&t  draw  extremely  liberal 
pay,  and  commit  accidents  often  and  criminally;  the  latter 
small  wages,  considering  they  are  often  the  head  and  ahvays 
the  arm  of  a  squad,  company,  or,  perhaps,  even  a  battallion. 
The  killed  servant's  name  was  John  Curtis.  He  formerly  kept' 
a  barber  shop  next  door  to  Reinlein's  drug  store,  on  the  corner 
of  Eighth  and  Freeman  streets,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

March  23. — We  have  had  large,  additipns  made  to  onr  forces 
here,  until  we  are  now  nearly,  or  quite,  seventy  thousand  strong. 
General  Smith  commands.  He  is  a  fine,  genial  looking  man, 
and  is  as  Ifriendly  arid  conversable  as  any  shoulder-gilt  gentle- 
hian  in  the  army,  and  is  undoubtedly  the  idol  of  his  men,  who 
leave  all  knotty  issues  to  their  general,  and  his  decision  is  al- 
)vays  satisfactory,  justifying  the  appeals  they  often  make  to 
iiim.  His  affability  is  never  at  fault,  and  proclaims  mote  for 
him. than  his  compeers  (many  of  them)  can  boast,  so  i'ar. 

,!  liebel  armed  and  unarmed  men  are  coming  into  this  camp 
every  day  ill  squads  as  many  as  twenty,  but  more  frequently 
(rem  four  to  teu,  and  claim  onj"!  protection,  or  join  our  army  at 
pnce;  In  fact  tliey  nearly,  or  quite,  all  join  at  once.  They  are 
pertainly  welcome.  This  proves  how  true  is  the  principle  up* 
Jield  by  those  in  power,  that  the  Constitution  should  remain 
unaltered,  and  all  men  have  their  just  rights  as  heretofore,  in 


HUMEROUS    ADVENTURES   OF  A  VOLUNTEKBi  1ft 

property  of  ^all  kinds,  held  as  well  inl  ithe/Saa^h  as  in  the 
North.  no  iQiiir.Dob  a  i<.  d 

*  Two  of  our  boys  were  speaking  td-day  about  politics.  One 
was  a  democrat  and.  the  other  a  republican.  They  were 
arguing  strongly  on  political  matters,  and  finally  came  to  blows, 
because  the  democrat  tliou'glit  the  Pi'esideht  of  the  United  States 
wise  in  appointing  Scott,  Stanton,  and  Bates  as  council  friends, 
and  put-ting  out  of  oflice  friend  Simon  Cimeron,  for  good  rea- 
sons and.  excellent  judgement,  ,  'Tile  figiit!  W'a,s,''h6H\^M6r,'  shol-^, 
and '  one  oif  tlie  sutlers''  sliopV'closed,'  by  e'ntertdimneht,  tH6' 
wor4s  and  blows  of  both  democrat  and  republican.  They 
Irusited  tp  end  the  figl.t  ahortty  wh*6ri  ttiey 'cornmenced  it,  as 
til ey  will  the  w:ar,now  going  on  1)etw'ech  No'rlh  arid  South 
We  all  hope  they  are  a^  true  in  the  latter  wish  as  they  were  in 
the  former  '*"' ''^''  >'<  X.n«  jlduotj  ixll  lIji>,Bw  ahlT   .ebiight 

I  am  ordered  this  afternoon  to  Pittsburgh  lartding,  which  is 
foitr  miles  up  the  river  from  here,  in. order  to  obtain  clothing, 
fi-om  ona- quartermaster  there,  fur  the  Teflii^e,<;ai«$iWUftn^ils^^ 
have  lately  obtained  here  as  recruits.  ,;  iDin  loc^jtf;-?)  yi^-.  ;n;j 

^'4  P.  J/!— Have'ki-i-^v;ed,  aWd'arri  takeVi  i^  si^w^gon  to  Shiloh 
(Cnnnch,  near  which  place  are  the  principal  quartei-s  of  our  reg- 
iment. Troops  are  encaniped.  all  along  on  both  sides  of  this 
rough  road,  and  se'era  quite  a.t  home  enjoying  themselves  gaily 
in  all  sorts  of  innocent  amusements.'  They  look  in  fur  better 
health  than  our  poor  boys  below.  Wiiether  they  will,  in  con- 
^C^quenCe,  ^^A^  better,  remains 'to  be  jJroved.'  They  did  quite 
well  yesterday,  however,  on  a  scout.  They  had  been  'Ordered 
to  examine  the  road  tOwarcI  Corinth,  and Hvent  so  close  to  the 
enemy's  pickets,  unexpectedly,  as  to  capture  General  Menks 
^nd  iiig  otderly  sergeant,  whb  Wicr6  both ' 'i^hngTy  bhfecohsed  afr 
t^ie' house  of  the  former,  they  not  having  the'  slightest  id^tl- 
tliat  the  5th  O.  Y.  C.  were  so  close  and  so  impudent  as  to  lay 
theiV  sa'criltgious  ^iand8"ori'fhe  sk'eted  perseft  of  d'^^fi^at  'r^fe^ 
general.  They  alsc*)  obtaihed  soine  forty-fiVe  bales  of  cottob^ 
one  ton  of  powder,  some  valuable  fodder  and  grain;  also  a  su-'' 
perb  horse,  owned -by  fhie  afdresEtssid  geti^i-al.  Who  WiTTidehial 
JkMy  now  in  close'  quarters,  rather  than  cdrifiriem^nt  to  horse 


20  BUMKEOUS   ADVENTUEEar  )&ff  A;  aT^LUNTEEB* 

flesh  at  large.  Wonder  whether  hiB  prefers  a  canter  now  (Wj 
horseback  or  a  decanter  on  foot.  ,/^ 

The  rebel  general's  house  is  a  very  iine  looking  domicile, 
and  is  well  situated  here  ip.  rebeldora.  There  are  some  fine 
looking  females  about  the  premises  who  seem  to  think  too 
much  of  the  position  now  occupied  by  them.  One  of  the 
ladies  was  rather  talkative  at  the  time  of  our  appearance;  and 
very  demonstratiyj^  ip  ,regard.  to  morals  possessed  just  then. 
One  of  our  men  seemed  dry,  and  asking  her,  as  she  stood  in  a 
door,  to  please  give  him  a  drink  of  water,  she,  using  chewing 
tobacco  in  manly  style,  sent  a  spit  at  him  which  struck  his  face 
80  evenly  and  nicely  that  he  tlianked  her  for  so  much  kindness 
in  furnishing  him  a  drink  that  she  used  herself,  and  went  oflt 
amid  the  laughter  of  his  companions  and  the  jokes  of  hi^ 
friends.  This  was  all  the  trouble  any  of  our  boys  had,  however, 
in  this  scout,  and  they  returned  to  their  camp,  shortly  afterward, 
in  great  good  humor.  •  uai-y([v,  >ai\ 

'  Generals  Grant  and  Sherman  are  both  here,  near  to  Shiloh 
church.  The  former  is  in  command  of  ns  all,  who  amount  to 
seventy  thousand  men  now,  and  probably  more.  The  steamer 
Tigress  is  the  m^il  boa^  frop  Savannq,  to  Pittsburg  landing,  and 
is  now  waiting  at  the  latter  place  to  bring  General  Grant  back 
to  the  former  place,  where  many  pretty  girls  reside,  some  of 
whom  made  acq^uaintauce,  with  our  leading  officer  when  wo  first 
arrived.  These  pretty  maids  are  sisters  to  a  rebel  officer,  and, 
though  they  talk,  very  well  to  pur  generals  and  their  aides-de- 
camp, they  bedieve  in ,  sputhern  views, ,  n^ore,  f  trongly  t,ha,a  v^ 
Northern  matters. 

March  25.— To  day  wrote  to  the  Cincinnati  Times,  a  good,  a 
tro^,  andweUvliked  paper.  General  Smith,  reviewed  several 
regiments  this  morning,  and  seemed  greatly  pleased  with  theii^ 
appearance  and  performfinces.  They  were  a  splendid  body  o| 
men  truly,  and  he  who  can. not  view  them  with  a  glow  of  pat- 
riotic emotion  filling  his  breast,  must  be  either  an  imbecile  or^ 
a  traitor.  Sa^y  two  or  three  pencil  scratchers,on  horses,  taking 
notes.  Tliey  seemed  like  crows  in  a  spring  cornfield — ready  tQ> 
peck  but  uuable  to  find  sufficient  to  feed  on.  ly/o'  o-io  f  dioa 
Returned  by  steamer  to  Crump's  landing,  which  isbecomingi 


HUMEBOUS  AbVENTUEES  OE  A  VOLUNTEEB.         M 

tihlie^lth}^  as  a  day  scat-fcfe^y  passes  without  lessenini^  this  nhtii- 
ber  of  our  poor  fellows.  To-daj  I  met  a  soldier,  bareheaded 
and  barefooted,  weeping  violefltly  and  wringing  his  hands  ia 
beeming  despair.  His  only  brother  had  just  died  in  the  pest- 
nouse,  of  small  pox,  and  this  devoted-  relative,  who  had  waited 
bews  oi  him  daily  at  the  hospdt)^!  door,  had  biit  now  rbeen  told 
of  his  death.  He  seemed  almost  crazed,  and  his  heart  wrung 
goaus  and  piteous  exclamations  would  have  drawn  tears  from 
the  hardest  hearted.  We  are  tnakiog  a  gi^Ve  yard  in  sight  of 
the  river,  at  the  top  of  the  landing,  which  is  fast  becoming  of 
large  extent.  It  was  hdre  the  body  of  this  young  mart's  brother 
was  plEkied?'<^''^''4f''  '  ^^^''"  h'lM'i;  'nI  ■',^u<I  ,lliil  a  inntb  oUi^'irfia 
To  day  three  members  of' out  battalMon^  w^re  captured  neat 
Adamsville,  where  they  were  standing  guard,  and  the  balance 
were  compelled  to  retreat  a  short  distance  ks  the  rebels  wei^ 
six  to  one  of  our  cavalry;  and  they  retreated,  too,  in  a  short 
time,  as  all  oiir  force  Weiit  to  'hunt  them  tip-  J)ri6tty  ^B«on -ftftep- 
^ard,  ii:ut  yiiih.'hii  'to  -i  /h  ihtiii;,'  vii-,.  .■.>'."■:! 

We  have  some  geniiises  in  our  company  who  are  worthy  of 
notice,  and  I  shall  treat' of  their  pe^i^liliarities  frequently.  One 
of  them,  Patrick  D— — ^n  by  name,  by  birth  a  native  of  Con- 
naught,  is  one  of  the  hnrrierous  souls  in  our  (^rO-Wd,' and  creates 
many  a  laugh  by  his  knave  expressions  and  droll  stories  His 
futid  is  never  exhausted,  and  he  rains  the  hot  shot  of  wit  upon 
lis  odntinuallyi  He  ite  a  brave  fe'How,''6od,'and  e6ld  as  an  ice- 
berg under  fire.  Instance  the  other  day  When  we  had  chased 
the  rebel  pickets  intd  their  camp,  and  there  we  stood  upon  the 
hill  top  watching  thei'i-  whole  army  as  th-ey  came  on  at  us  in  & 
double  quick.  Pat,  whos6  horse  is  rather  sh'^^ 'iri' the  fbr^ 
legs,  cried  out  as  we  started  back:  ;     ;  .  >       ,      i 

"  Well,  boys,  divil  a  day's  luck  iver  I'll  have  after  losing-  thife 
JBlie  chance  at  that  rebel  gineral  there  beloAV.''  ■•  "'-'ii"  i"'2  uu 
-  '^  What  chance  ?"  asked  one  of  us  who  "did  n't¥e^'it>'  '^'•' 
ii  it.  vVhat  chance,  do  ye  ax  me,  is  it,"  he  exclaimed  turning  a 
laughing  eje  at  all  the  company  about  him.''  "  What  chan6e^ 
ye  loprehauns;  'why  thin  I'll  tell  ye  sifice  ye  are  sich  blind 
divils  as  not  to  see  ityerselves.  You  obsarve  that  rebel  ginoral 
coming  up  atug  thin,'do'yo^ti?' Very  Well!  bow  look  you  ado  wn 


^  HUMEROUS  ADVENTD;:RES,  JOF.  A   yOLUNTEEB. 

on  this  baste  annuntlier  me  ;  tjp  ye  see  tliim  both  ?  You  .dp  ? 
Very  well.  Now  if  my  horse,  instead  of  being  a  half  coueirj 
or  so,  wiis  alfiill  blooded  kangaroo,  and  5I  was  down  behind 
that  cocked  iiat  rebel  villain,  could  n't  I  bate  him  siventy-iive 
yards  in  a  liundred  up  any  hill  in  America ;  an'  take  him,  an' 
his  soord,  an',  ail  that  he  has  on  him,  as  gay  as  he  looks?  tell 
me  that  now."  ,:    .  :  i    .!•      ,1  .       -i  ;     j 

And  Fat  looked  triumphantly  around  him,  as  if  to  cl^alJengQ 
a  contradiction  to  his  as^ertion^JV-hich  no  one  venturing  to  ofler^ 
3r*at  clinched  his  argument  by  remarking: 

-"Fjomthe  lingth  ol^  a.kapg^roo'^  hind  legs  he'd  be  hard  to 
navigate  down  a  hill,  but,"  he  added  with  emphasis,  "I'd  d-ciy 
■the  divil  himself  to  a  fair  racfe  m;?  onei" »,;.  -  ., 
•  ,  We  have  just  had  another  grand  review;  this  time  the  whol^ 
idivision  is  out^  and  a  magnificent  sight  it  is.  What  a  fine  array 
our  one  battallion  of  four  hundred  horsemen  make  at  the  head 
£tt  thisiiue  looking  body  of  meiji.  Tl^en  comes  two  batteries  of 
guns,  alter  which  six  regiments  of  infantry  march  around  and 

ido  permanent  duty  to  all. ijeceived;Order$»o_'  grno?,  o^&d  -iV/ 

March  '2'd. — Five  hundf;.d  cavalry,  called' the  Curtis  horse^ 
arrived  yesterday  from'  St.  Louis,  pn  the  A.  M.  McDowell, 
IjLhey  have  b,^'e<i  a  short  time  at  Fort  Henry,  and  arc  well  drilled 
flien  seemingly.  Oqe  ol  them,  a  private  soldier  who  seemed 
jovial  over  his  acjlvance  into  Rebeldom,  so  much  so  that  _he 
.wrot|e;home;,tq  the  effect  th?iit  when  he  next  wrote  homCjjhi? 
friends  and  neighbors  had  better  be  ready  to  remove  to  Dixie, 
as  he  already  had  a  plantatioij,  >vith  a  big  stock  of .  negroes^ 
.picked  out  for  /Qach/ofithepi;  ^that  the  unmarried  young  nien 
had  better  remain  so  awhile,  as  the  young  seccsh  girls  were  Ht 
to  tie  to  and  anxious  to  solve  such  knotty  questions,  and  were 
vTyi^Vijng  tO;  tie  ,<pbedient  to  :apy,pf,itl»e  mudsill  fellows  who  came 
on  and  offered  themselves  up  without  loss  of  time;  some,  of 
the  belles,  are  seemingly  q.uite  willing  tp  be  wrung  in^token  of 
joy  at , our  approach,  in  BOpae  instances;  and  in  such  cases,  if 
true,  if  feinalcH  were  fortresses,  a  short  siege  and  plenty  of 
amunition  would  be  all  the  articles  required  to  render  them 
defpnce|le,^s„  and  willing  to,  immediately  come  to  proper  terms, 
So,muc|).(oi;  the  Curtis  horseman,  ,>vho  may  be  a  logician   or 


HTJMEEOrS    ADVEXTUBES    OF  A  VOLUNTEEK.  23 

otherwise ;  but  "  if  so,  why  so  ?  "  as  Captain  Cuttle  says  in  a 
wise  way  or  remarkable  manner.  :: 

Transportation  here  has  become  hard  to  obtain  unless  to  par- 
ticular persons;  and  those  having  control  of  these  matters  dis- 
play considerable  favoritism  in  many  cases  where  it  is  neither 
requisite  or  desirable.  It  is  sometimes  called  military  necessity, 
etc.  Bully  for  the  necessities  with  shoulder  straps  ;  they  some- 
times talk  as  if  becoming  impoverished  in  the  prosecution  of 
this  war.  A  special  law  for  their  benefit,  and  to  secure  their 
creditors,  ouglit  to  pass  both  Houses  without  a  dissenting  voice, 
for  their  sure  future  and  immediate  good.  "Let  her  rip;  who's 
afeard!"  i)  ov/l  .fjmt  oliv/  «niT>Ttrte  aUi  h;  >e  blnoo  od  ffon 

March  30. — Our  boys  are  on  picket  dnty  every  night,  and  are 
pretty  severely  tasked,  having  camp  duty  also  to  perform.  The 
general  routine  is  included  in  the  following:  b o'clock  A.  M. — 
We  rise,  wash,  and  prepare  for  roll  call.  5.30. — Koli  call,  feed 
and  curr}'  horses.  6. — Breakfast,  dean  sabres,  guns,  pistols, 
accoutrements,  etc.  10. — Drill  on  foot  till  12,  2  F.  M. — Com- 
pany drill  on  horses  until  4.  4. — Battallion  drill.  5:30. — Dress 
parade,  after  which  supper.  These,  together  with  other  duties 
such  as  acting  orderlies  for  general  officers,  obtaining  provisions 
for  the  men  &,nd  forage  for  the  horses,  keep  us  pretty  busy, 
and  If^ave  us  very  little  time  we  can  call  our  own.  We  manage', 
however,  to  get  through  very  well,  and  often  with  a  degree  of 
alacrity  very  commendable  in  newly  raised  troops.     .Yfiv/«  Jo^ 

April  4,  1862. — On  account  of  illness  my  journal  skips  over 
the  intervening  week,  nothing  worthy  of  record  has  transpired, 
except  a  few  slight  skirmishes  in  which  we  have  been  but 
partially  engaged.  The  recent  boldness  of  the  enemy  seems 
to  predict  a  warm  future  for  us,  and  a  strong  determination  on 
the  part  of  the  foe  to  contest  our  farther  advance  into  the  inte- 
rior. 

Our  battallion  is  camped  close  to  two  great  fighting  regi- 
ments, the  Eighth  Missouri  and  the  Eleventh  Indiana,  whose 
morals  are,  by  many  said  to  be  none  of  the  best  although  their 
bravery  is  undoubted.  The  Eighth  Missouri,  especially,  arer, 
without  doubt,  as  a  body,  pretty  hard  customers  to  deal  witk 
any  way  you  take  them ;  and  are  in  no  way  tender  in  regard  to 


24         HDMEROUS  ADVENTDBE3  OF  A  VOLUNTEEB. 

the  feelings  of  others.  They  play  poker  with  curious  success 
all  over  the  camp,  and  deplete  the  pockets  of  outsiders  who 
engage  tliem  with  cards  or  dice  in  short  meter.  A  fellow  be- 
longing to  the  Eighth  Missouri,  a  private,  known  among  his 
comrades  as  *'Eed,"  (probably  from  the  color  of  his  hair,)  was 
guilty  of  rather  a  mean  trick  to  day  in  the  presence  of  a  crowd 
gathered  around  a  chuckaluck  board — and  chuckled  finely  at 
his  own  meanness.  A  sick  soldier, injQuenced  b}' the  pretended 
good  luck  of  the  "ropers  in"  around  him,  was  induced  to  stake 
his  little  means  on  the  figure  six,  and  he  won.  Placing  the 
whole  amount  in  his  vest  pocket,  he  started  away  saying  that 
now  he  could  send  his  suffering  wife  and.  two  children  at  home 
enough  to  keep  them  from  starvation  until  next  pay  day.  He 
was  accosted  hy  Red,  who,  failing  to  induce  him  to  "  try  his 
luck  again,"  deliberately  robbed  the  poor  fellow  by  picking  his 
pockets  and  running  off  with  his  ill  gotten  booty ;  and  this, 
too,  in  plain  view  of  the  congregated  gamblers  and  lookers  on 
present  at  the  time  and  place.  'Ihe  plundered  man  immediately 
■discovered  his  loss,  and  pursued  the  thief,  who  dodged  behind 
a  large  sutler's  tent,  but  was  pointed  out  and  stopped,  when  he 
boldly  denied  the  theft,  and  pulling  off  his  coat  offered  tight  to 
Ihis  weak  man,  who  was  wholly  unable  to  defend  himself.  Red 
being  a  sort  of  shoulder  hitter  by  profession,  and  well  known 
as  such  by  all  our  array,  of  course  bantered  in  vain,  and  so  he 
got  away.  We  never  heard  if  the  offender  was  brought  to  any 
account  for  this  action,  but  do  not  think  he  was. 

There  are  some  gentlemen  in  the  Eiglith  Missouri,  who  are 
much  disgraced  by  having  villains  of  this  fellow'^s  stamp  in 
any  way  connected  with  ihem,  and  who  would  undoubtedly  use 
every  endeavor  to  bring  to  merited  justice  so  mean  a 'scamp, 
wore  the  matter  properly  made  known  to  them. 

April  5, — There  is  a  report  current  in  camp  to-day,  that  the 
flecosh  are  in  strong  force  between  us  and  Corinth,  and  that 
our  skirmishei's  have  had  several  small  lights  in  the  last  ten  or 
twelve  hours  with  the  rebel  advance  guard.  We  wonder  if 
it  is  possible  they  daro  advance  and  attack  us  in  force  sufficient 
to  give  us  all  a  ciianco  fi)r  glory.,  We  hope  they  will  dare  it, 
ftud  receive  their  just  desserts  at  our  hands.    We  will  grant 


HUMEKOUS  ALVENTDRES  OF  A  VOLUNTKEB.         85 

them  the  earliest  opportunity  they  desire  to  try  the  "mudsills" 
on.  The  boast  that  one  fire  eater  can  whip  five  Yankees  in  a 
fair  fight,  includes,  of  course,  all  the  men  from  the  free  States. 
We  westerners,  poor  devils,  being  too  insignificant  in  their 
estimation  as  soldiers,  are  not,  of  course,  taken  into  any  con- 
sideration by  these  heroes  of  the  South  ;  and  the  only  reason 
why  we  have  been  so  long  permitted  to  desecrate  the  "sacred 
soil "  with  our  hated  ])resence,  is  probably  because  the  chiv- 
alry, being  baturaliy  the  politest,  bravest,  ga3'est,  most  h.eroic, 
generous,  lively,  whole-souled,  truthful  modest,  and  generally 
and  promiscuously  tremendous  humorists  a  wondering,  admir- 
ing world  has  (iter  humbly  looked  at  from  alar,  are  only  wait- 
ing to  send  their  Beau-regards  to  us  ere  they  feast  us  on  their 
butternuts.  Their  hospitality  shall  be  reciprocated  ;  let  them 
supply  the  meal  and  we  will  furnish  the  dessert  to  them,  ^«ot 
to  be  outdone  in  politeness,  we  agree  to  accompany  the  gen- 
tlemen back  to  the  place  they  came  from,  and  attend  to  some 
of  their  aff"airs  gratis.  Let  them  come  when  they  will,  the 
sooner  the.  better.  The  mudsills  are  quite  anxious  to  tender 
thera  a  grand  reception,  the  warmth  of  which  will  probably 
surprise  them,  whether  agreeably  or  otherwise  this  deponent 
eayeth  not. 

We  were  separated  permanently  from  the  first  and  second 
battallions  of  our  regiment  some  time  since,  and  we,  the  third 
battallion,  are  now  with  the  brigade  of  General  Lew.  Wallace, 
with  Avhom  we  have  considerable  duty  to  do.  The  men  here 
continue  to  suffer  from  diarrhoea  and  fever,  and  are  dying  quite 
fast.  We  have  not  a  sulficient  force  of  doctors  to  attend  to 
them,  and  no  regular  hospitals.  Stores  for  the  sick  are  likewise 
very  scarce.  If  all  the  army  is  similarly  fixed  then  our  wonder 
will  cease  at  so  many  fatal  kormihations  to  diseases  which, 
under  ordinary  circumstances,  are  of  easy  cure.  We  should  be 
supplied,  by  every  loyal  State,  with  a  corps  of  nurses  and 
such  other  necessaries  as  the  sick  require.  It  will  be  a  sad 
hour  to  many  a  poor  fellow  who  falls  wounded  on  the  field, 
unless  we  are  supplied  with  these  desirable  articles.  But  no 
matter.  We  will  leave  our  destinies  to  fate,  and  say  no  more 
in  regard  to  this  matter.^ 


26         HDMEEOUS  ADVENTDKES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEK. 

We  sta^^ed  out  this  afternoon,  and  arrived  at  Adamsville, 
where,  for  the  Jirst  time,  we  saw  two  or  three  pretty  girls  who 
reside  in  the  place.  They,  on  the  occasion  of  our  previous 
visit,  being  so  shy  or  Unionistic  that  they  would  not  show  us 
how  sweet  and  good  looking  they  were.  Now  with  the  sweet 
1 — bitter  also — predominating  in  tlieir  faces  we  escaped  heart- 
whole. 

The  very  handsomest  girl,  however,  in  this  neighborhood  is, 
I  am  happy  to  say,  as  strongly  in  favor  of  our  noble  cause  as 
lier  female  neighbors  are  opposed  to  it.  Her  brother  joined 
our  company  some  days  since,  and  is  as  good  a  member  as  is 
in  the  company.  His  name  is  McQuirter.  He  has  unfortu- 
nately been  somewhat  ill  recently.  To-day  he  was  visited  by 
his  aister.  Miss  Mary,  the  young  lady  I  speak  of,  which  resulted 
in  the  unconditional  surrender  of  all  the  unmarried  young  men's 
hearts  who  saw  her.  Wliat  a  small  thing  will  sometimes 
change  a  man's  opinion.  Yesterday  our  boys  thought  this 
paat  of  Tennessee  the  vilest  portion  of  the  world,  and  swore 
tiiey  would  not  be  compelled  to  live  in  it  for  the  wealth  of  the 
Indies.  Today,  since  they  saw  one  of  the  faries  of  this  wil- 
derness, (Miss  Mary,)  they  all,  to  a  man,  vow  that  a  hut  even 
here,  with  Miss  Mary  as  the  presiding  deity,  would  be  happi- 
ness beyond  comparison,  and  an  abode  fit  for  nothing  less  than 
the  gods. 

Speaking  of  Miss  McQuirter  reminds  us  of  the  story  of  Kin- 
caid's  loss.  lie  is  a  near  neighbor  to  the  father  of  the  lass, 
and  is  the  owner  of  a  large  flour  mill  in  close  vicinity.  Kincaid 
htas  been  badly  treated  by  his  rebel  friends,  and  he  determined 
shortly  to  cut  his  military  acquaintances,  one  of  whom,  General 
Cheat luim,  (who  seems,  in  this  instance,,to  have  been  a  cheat 
'em  by  nature  as  well  as  by  name,)  certainly  deserves  this  de- 
sertion by  Kincaid.  The  facts  in  regard  to  the  case  are  the 
following: 

Kincaid,  who  was  wealthy  previous  to  the  rebellion,  used  to 
be  an  intense  lire  eater.  Since,  and  probably  before,  the  war 
broke  out,  he  not  only  voted  for  the  ordinance  of  secession 
himself,  but  influenced  others  by  every  means  in  his  power  to 
do  the  same,  and  to  swear  to  use  all  the  means  and  money  ia 


HUMEKOUS  ADTENTUBES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEE,         87 

their  command  if  necessary  tq  support  the  cause.  For  this 
Kincaid  recieved  much  praise  t^ud  conimendation  at  the  time, 
and  of  course  became  a  very  distinguished  person  in  the  esti- 
mation of  his  fellow  traitors.  "  Talk  then  was  cheap,"  but 
Jack  found  out  very  soon  that  "it  always  takes  money  to  buy 
whisky."  The  war  first  being  off  at  a  distance,  he  could  talk 
and  swagger  away  to  his  heart's  content.  Bye-and-byc,  how- 
ever, along  comes  General  Grant  and  his  patriotic  Ibrces  to 
Pittsburg  landing,  and  so,  too,  comes  the  rebel  force  under 
Cheatham,  who  encamped  at  a  proper  and  safe  distance  from 
us,  and  in  Jack  Kincaid's  close  vicinity,  which  led  to  the  thing 
about  to  be  narrated  here.  , 

The  rebels,  it  seems,  fell  somewhat  short  of  flour  and  other 
necessaries  of  army  life,  shortly  after  their  arrival,  and  so  a 
couple  of  hundred  of  them  paid  jthe  mill  a  visit  in  the  absence 
of  its  owner,  who  was  even  then  on  his  way  to  pay  his  respects 
to  General  Cheatham.  The  rebels,  of  course,  thinking  it  all 
right,  proceeded  to  luad  tlieir  teaois  and  horses  with  as  much 
of  so  noble  an  adherant's  flour,  corn,  and  fodder  as  they  could 
possibly  carry  away.  With  their  forage  they  made  off  leisurely 
to  their  camps,  exultant  lat  the  near  prospect  of  so  glorious  a 
feed  for  man  and  beast,  and  gratified  that  they  were  the  first 
recipients  of  the  notable  generosity  of  the  amiable  and  devoted 
Jack.  They  were  met  on  the  road,  however,  by  the  owner,  who, 
all  unconscious  of  the  wrong  they  had  done  him,  and  being 
highly  pleased  with  the  very  favorable  reception  he  had  n,^ei 
with  from  their  general,  greeted  them  with  a  smile, and  wished 
them  every  success  in  all  their  undertakings  and  passed  on 
unsuspiciously  towards  home,  singing  Dixie  as  he  went.  Tho 
tune  was  quickly  changed  when  he  arrived  and  was  informed 
of  what  had  happened  during  his  absence.  Jack,  who  was 
anything  but  piotis,  was  said  to  be  awful  in  his  anger,  and  he 
fully  sustained  his  reputation  in  this  instance,  a3  he  was  the 
author  now  of  some  twenty  odd,  and  herctofore.unheard,  ciaths, 
with  unmentionable  maledictions  in  his  paroxysm, of  rage  an(i 
despair.  i 

Be  this  as  it  jna^^.  Jack,  foaming  with  .wrath,  remounted  his 
steed  and  bade  his  astonished  friends  prepitre  to  hear  of  the 


28         nUMEROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER; 

Complete  destruction  of  the  whole  plundering  party  on  his  re- 
turn. He  s^t  spurs  to  his  horse  then,  and  never  slackened  liis 
pace  until  he  was  ao-ain  in  front  of  Cheatham's  headquarters 
and  ordered  to  halt  by  the  guard.  Kincaid  liad  no  other  idea 
but  that  this  functionary,  on  being  placed  in  "possession  of  all 
the  circumstances  of  the  robbery,  would  order  out  all  the  of- 
fending party  for  immediate  execution,  and  already  saw,  in 
imagination,  the  guilty  scoundrels  swept  from  the  earth  by  the 
deadly  volleys  of 'their  executioners. '  'oafjii 

Being  politely  invited  into  the  presence  of  the  general,  li^ 
stated  his  grievance,  interspersing  his  narrative  with  many  of 
his  irreverent  coinages,  and  concluded  by  requiring  immediat*^ 
redress  of  his  wrongs.  ThiiS  was  promised  him  on  the  morrow 
by  Cheatham,  who  pretended  great  and  virtuous  indignation, 
and  declared  the  perpetratOrfe  unfit  to  exist,  coveied  as  they 
were  with  eternal,  indellible  infamy  and  shame  in  the  eyes  of 
the  whole  civilized  world. 

"To-morrow,  my  ^liend,  to  morrow,"  said  the  general,  arid 
his  eyes  were  trying  to  till  with  ^sympathetic  tears  aS  he  sptke'. 
"Public  and  important  busine6s''Wing  less  imitietit  to-morro\\i, 
I  shall  thoroughly  sift  this  matter,  and  you  shall  have  justice 
done  you,  though  the  heavens  fall.  Bring  with  you  an  estimate 
of  your  loss,  and  I  shall  feel  only  too  much  honored  in  covering 
it  with  Confederate  bonds  at  six  per  cent.  No  thanks,  my  dear 
friend,  and  farewell  until  to-morrow.""  '^^'^  'i'»  tno'i'dSiuimus Us 

Jack  bowed  gladly  to  this  news,  and,  biJcIirig  the  gerieirara 
short  farewell,  mounted  the  old  mare,  highly  elated  at  thes6 
promises  and  determined  to  swell  the  estimate  to  enormoui 
proportlotjs,  in  order  to  cover  all  after  losses,  and  thus  coni^ 
pletely  secure  himself  in  any  event.  '^ 

Wonder  if  there  are  any  patriotic  gentlemen  of  this  stanlj) 
on  our  side.     We  hope  not.  '^• 

While  Kincaid  was  being  congratulated  on  his  return  horti^ 
by  his  friends,  the  oliject  of  his  errand  to  Cheatham  was  being 
noised  about  the  rebel  c%mp;  and  had  Jack  known  what  waS 
intended  by  them,  if  he  kept  his  next  day's  appointment,  h^e 
would  scarcely  have  wasted  the  amount  of  paper  and  time  he 
did  that  night  on  th$  estimate.  ■  ^^^i  -'^^**  *'"*!  boois 


HUMEROU8    APVENTDKEft  OF  A  VOLUl^TEEB,  ^H 

Next  day,  Kincaid  taking  with  him  a  few  friends  whom  he 
desired  to  have  witness  his  triumph,  proceeded  gaily  to  hia 
destination,  and  arrived  as  the  reb^l  general  was  about  to  enjoy 
the  noon  meal.  The  grini  chief  seemed  wholly  taken  by  sur- 
prise at  the  uncalled  for  intrusion  of  his  yesterday's  friend,  an(^ 
asked  in  no  very  pleasant  tone  if  it  was  expected  by  every  one 
in  general,  and  John  Kincaid  in  particular,  that  he  should  deny 
himself  the  proper  occasion  of  food,  in  order  to  hear  the  petty, 
complaints  of  iever])f.'(rij4g'^.vand  tramper  through  the  entire 
country.  r,-  ;   /   •  ;  • 

ctfack  was  thunderstruck,  and  made  a  meek  reply,  supposing 
it  best  under  the  circumstances;  and  so  he  handed  to^the  scar- 
less  hero  a  formidable  looking  bundle  of  papers,  muttering 
something  abo^t  yesterday  and. the  estimate.  jj.  '..nriu.vja 

"  What  estimate,  and  be  d — d  to  you  ?  Oh,  I  see.  You  are 
the  same  fellow  who  came  to  me  yesterday  with  a,  long  string 
of  lies  about  bei^g  robbed  pf  property,  which,  acic^ording  tOr 
yourprevious  boasting,  belonged  to  the  Confederate  govern- 
ment. You  gave  it,  as  you  §aid,  freely,  ai^d  now  you  come  to 
me  with  a  whine  about  property  Away  with  you,  sir,  and, 
think  yourself  fortunate  that  I  allow  you  to  depart  unscathed 
Do  jou  think  because  you  are  a  knave  that  I  am  consequently 
a  fool  ?  Guard,  see  these  individuals  beyond  the  lines.  Mark 
this  ruffian  well,  and,  should  he  {igain  enter  them,  ]iang  him  to,- 
the  first  tree  without  any  ceremony,  whatever." 

Jack's  woful  appearance,  may  be  better  imagined  than,, de- 
scribed, as  he  was  dragged,  rather  than; led,  th3;ougk  the, rebel 
camp.  He  had  not  a  word  to  repel  the  upbraidings  of  the: 
friends  who  came  with  him,  and  were  as  unceremoniously  treated 
as  himself  by  the  chivalry  of  QampCheat-'em.  The  Knight  of 
the  Dolorous  Countenance  never  looked  more  chapfallen  than 
did  the  owner  of  the  mill  on  this  occasion.  He  had  learned  ^, 
lesson,  however,  which  he  intended  to  profit  by  immediately,j 
and  thus  partially  consoling  himself,  he  reached  home  a  wiser 
if  not  a  better  man.  r 

John  was  not  destined  by  fate  to  escape  thus  easily.  lie  had. 
left  home  with  the  estimate  but  a  short  time,  when  a  larger  and, 
ipore  noisy  bodj^  of  soldiers  than  the  first,  arrived  at  his  house, 


99  HUMEROUS  'ADVENTUKES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEE. 

which  tlicy  ransacked  of  everythmgthby  could  lay  their  hands 
on,  and  then  departed  leisurely,  taking  with  them  a  splendid 
lot  of  cattle  which  the  ownei^  had,  a  short  time  previous  refused 
a  round  sum  for.  The  mill  was  also  robbed  of  everything  about 
it  of  any  value,  and'  Kihcaid,  on  discovery  of  this  heavy  loss> 
was  nearly  crazed,  and  determined  on  a  positive  revenge  whicb 
he  is  now  accomplishing  secretly,  but  through  others  who  fre-i 
quently  give  us  good  intelligencfe  of  every  important  matter 
they  find  out.  Kincaid  is  no  iotigei"  a  favorer  of  secfessiori,  and 
has  found  out,  when  it  is  too  late,  which  party  respects  men'* 
right's.  .  He  knows  now  what  a  traitor  has  to  expect  from  his 
fellow  traitors.  '•'''•  ;  ao->nn:.i(ii(:.ii  >  o>i: -i  H.a.r  iajd  ii 

;  We'still  remain  at  Crumfi's'la'ri'di'fl'g,  ahd^'e'x^cfe'pt  cotisidoi-atrle^ 
scouting  and  two  or  three  skirmishes,  we  have  lain  dormant,  so 
far.  'The  days  move  slowly,  and  our  movements  are,  to  use  a 
railroad  phras^,  "  behind  time."  Our  hopes  of  ending  this  war 
in  two  or  three  months  are  not  so  flattering  as  we  were  led  to' 
bfelieVe^,  and  this- l^enders  sbm6  of  the  home  loving  among  us  af, 
little  ■despondent;  not  of  the  eventual  result,  not  through  fear' 
of  an}''  force  the  enemy  may  bring  against  us,  but  because' 
everything  seems  to  move  along  at  a  snail's  pace;  as  if  our 
leaders  were  anxious,  for  their  own  benefit,  to  prolong  the  strife 
until  the  nation  demands  action  or  the  army  becomes  disgusted 
with  the  service.  We  do' hot  eXplcct  to  advance  upon  the  fo^' 
for  weeks  to  come,  and  "unless  Mahomet  comes  to  the  mountain* 
tlie  mountain  will  not  come  to  Mahoiiiet."  There  may  be  strong 
i^easo^is,  however,  for  this  inertness,  and  'all  may  yet  turn  out 
i^ghtt^  Men  of  humble  positions  in  the  army  are  not  so' situated' 
aS'to^be  able  to  judge  correctly  of  militaiy  necessities,  and' 
therefore  look  mol'e  to  effects  (lian  causes. 
*  'THet'e  arc  some  happj'  fello\ts  'id'camp  to-day,  notwithstand-- 
ih^  it^  dull  sanKiiiess,  and  we  all  tnanage  in  this  way  when  we' 
receive  letters,  as  we  have  to-day,  from  our  dear  loved  ones  at 
honi^.  •  '  •  I'll  J  Imn 

My  dear  wife  and  child  are  both  enjoying  good  health  J  ah^' 
thinlv  of  the  weary  soldier  afiir  in  the  enemy's  land,  surrounded 
with  dtingers,  which  their  lOve  to^'^niiieS  ifito  aWful  peril'.  'Ah;' 
who-dkn  tell  what  a  thrill  of  joy  swtd Is  through  thd  brdasit  of 


HUMEEOUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.         31 

the  absent  volunteer  on  the  receipt  of  this  sweet  token  of  love 
from  the  beings  most  dear  to  him  on  this  broad  earth,  and  whom 
he  may  never  be  permitted  to  clasp  in  his  fond  embraces  again. 
Oh,  may  He  who  rules  the  universe  be  propitious  to  them,  and 
guard  them  from  all  harm.  ''>  ''^  '5''  '''';•' 

How  lovingly  a  fond  wife  writes!  Ho1v>  naturally,  ho\^ 
sweetl}'-  her  afiection  breaks  out  when  she  says  she  is  teaching 
our  baby  to  say  "papa ;"  when  she  desires,  should  I  be  taken 
ill,  to  have  permission  to  come  and  nurse  me  back  to  health. 
Would  this  were  according  to  our  regulations,  it  would  be  the 
means  of  saving  many  lives.  Ah,  immortal  and  ever  blessed 
Florence  Nightinale,  would  that  others  could  appreciate  th^ 
value  of  your  sweet  ministrations  in  the  Crimea,  and  form  an 
idea  of  the  sacrifice  you  made  in  exchanging  home  and  home 
comforts  for  the  disagreeable,  the  miserable  accommodations 
of  camp  life.  Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart  for  they  shailhave 
their  reward.  :.iJi->o-iq  ihuhr 

7  o'clock  P.  3/.— Some  of  our  scouts  report  the  enemy  ap- 
proaching our  lines  in  force.  It  is  generally  disbelieved,  and 
a  feeling  of  security  prevails  in  our  whole  army.  The  tatoo  is 
warning  us  that  the  hour  of  retiring  to  rest  is  at  hand,  and  we 
all  seek  repose  to  dream  of  home  and  happiness. 

Previous  to  blowing  out  our  lights  some  of  the  boys  were 
engaged  in  fortune  telling,  and  Corporal  K.  seemed  the  most 
fortunate  hearer  of  all  engaged.  A  young  lady  was  described 
as  being  lovely  and  in  love  with  some  one  in  the  army.  In 
consequence  of  this  he  sat  down  and  wrote  her  a  letter  imme- 
diately, pretending  fascination  on  his  part,  and  desiring  to  know 
if  he  was  not  the  most  fascinating  fellow  living;  and  whether 
or  not  he  was  the  person  whom  she  lAost  desired  for  a  com- 
panion in  this  life,  and  if  she  would  not  have  himself  alone  as 
soon  as  the  war  is  ended.  Having  finished  this  love  letter,  the 
light  was  put  out^  and  the  corporal  had  to  retire  immediately 
too. 

Sunday^  7  o'clock  A.  M. — The  scouts  were  right.  The  enemy 
have  approached  this  morn'ing,  and  attacked  our  left  and  cerif^i* 
at  Pittsburg  landing,  five  miles  above  here.  We  see  the  smoke 
of  battle,  and  have  heard  the  roar  of  artillery,  and  the  crack  of 


32  nUMEROUS  -APTENTUKES    OF  A  VOLUNTEER* 

musketry,  which  for  the  Jast  hour  have  been  almost  countinnons. 
Our  boys  are  urged  to  a  hasty  breakfast,  as  the  order  to  advance 
may  be  given  at  any  moment.  There  is  great  excitement  and 
strong  anxiety  to  take  part  in  the  fight  manifested  by  the  troops, 
who  will  move  on  with  alacrity  the  moment  the  order  is  given. 
May  they  win  honor  to  themselves  and  glory  to  the  country, 
we  solemnly  pray  the  Euler  of  all  things.  The  firing  ia  now 
warmer  than  ever,  report  following  report  in  rapid  succession, 
and  the  fight  seems  gradually  tending  toward  this  point. 

11. oi^clock  A.  M. — The  firing  has  ^ever  slackened  sinbo  we 
heard  it  first  this  morning,  and  it  is  now  one  eontinuoua  roar 
y^'ithout  cessation  or  interval,  approaching  here  slowly  but 
surely.  Our  division  has  ju^t  received  ojders,  and  is  being 
formed  into  line  as  quickly  as  possible^,-.) 7  ai>iii-i.0J5'4  oil)  to  jiobi 

General  Lew.  Walace  is  everywhere,  ofersfe'ein'g,  giving* 
orders,  and  urging  haste  with  that  calmness  and  self-possession 
which  proclaims  the  energetic,  able  commander,  The  men, 
relying  on  their  own  courage  and  the  capacity  of  their  leader, 
"fall  in"  with  great  alacrity.  General  Grant  passed  up  to  thcf 
scene, of  conflict  half  an  hour  since  on  the  flag  ship,  the  steamer 
l^igress. 

Straggling  pnrties  of  our  men  are  now  coming  in  here  at 
Crump's  landing,, where  none  but  our  sick  have  been  since 
Wallace  dcparte^l,  half  an  hour  ago  These  last  arrivals  say 
they  have  just  been  driven  from  the  battle-field  by  the  enemy, 
who  are  represented  as  being  one  hundred  thousand  strong, 
headed  by  Johnson,  Beauregard,  Price,  Bragg,  Cheatham,  Polk, 
and  others.  These  men  who  fled  from  tbie  battle  arc  generally 
bareheaded,  barefooted,  and  without  arms  of  any  kind,  having' 
lost  them  in  swimmingt^nake  creek,  which  is  between  here  and 
Shiloh  church.  •       : 

2  o^Jack  P,  M. — There  are  representatives  of  a  dozen  regi* 
ments  engaged  in  the  terrific  cor^ibat  going  on  so  near  us,  no\vl 
here,  who  number  at  least  one  thousand  five  hundred  men.i 
Ohio,  Illinois,  indiana,  Iowa,  and  Missouri  are  represented  by 
these  flceiag  cowards,  who  assert  with  greali  positivenoss  thatf 
all  our  troops  aro  nearly  cut  to  pieces,  and  therefore  incapable; 
«f  much  longer  withstanding  the  terific  assaults  of  so  large  a> 


HUMEROUS   ADVENTUEES    OF  A  TOLUNTEER.  33 

force  of  the  enemy.  Some  of  them  assure  us  that  they  are  the 
last  and  only  living  members  of  their  regiments  which  were  so 
well  filled  lately.  All  declare  themselves  completely  taken  by 
surprise  while  engaged  at  breakfast,  only  escaping  capture  by 
flying  when  their  amunition  was  all  expended,  i^:,,  .;  ,'t  '    •-    . 

4  P.  M. — The  fury  of  the  tremendous  conflict  is  still  unabated, 
and  seems  to  be  changing  its  location  towards  the  river,  where 
but  one  of  our  regiments  is  stationed  with  the  tents.  Now  our 
two  gunboats,  the  Tyler  and  Lexington,  seem  also  to  have  be- 
come engaged.  They  have  been  firing  for  an  hour.  So  the 
rebels  must  have  driven  us  from  our  camps  towards  Pittsburg 
landing.  Can  it  be  possible  that  they  have  done  so,  and  nearly 
whipped  .us?  No!  let  us  never  believe  a  traitor  horde  capable 
of  even  partially  defeating  us  in  a  fair  field.  The  wounded 
are  now  coming  in  here  in  large  numbers,  the  ambulances  cou- 
vejang  those  who  are  unable  to  walk.  Some  can  hobble  along 
alone,  while  others  require  the  assistance  of  their  comrades. 
They  all  represent  the  rebels  as  being  masters  of  the  principal 
portion  of  our  camp,  and,  of  course,  having  the  best  of  the 
battle  so  far. 

We  have  a  very  nicely  built  hospital  boat  here,  which  is  be- 
coming crowded  with  our  wounded.  Two  excellent  surgeons 
arc  on  board,  engaged  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  all  those 
duties  which  the  condition  of  their  patients  devolve  upon  them. 
All  of  the  transports  and  boats  with  provisions,  which,  since 
our  arrival,  have  been  at  Pittsburg,  are  now  moving  down  to- 
wards Savanna,  some  of  them  carrying  large  numbers  of  our 
wounded.  They  do  not  stop  here,  but  inform  us  that  reinforce- 
ments are  arriving  where  they  are  moving  to ;  that  Bucll's 
army  will  be  up  very  soon,  and  that  Nelson's  men  will  bo  first 
on  the  battle  field.  AVe  see  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  a 
cavalry  force  going  down,  who  belong  to  Ohio,  and  are  going 
to  Savanna  in  order  to  come  over  to  the  fight  immediately. 
We  trust  soon  to  be  in  sight  of  Bucll's  whole  army,  and  drive 
then  the  enemy  before  us. 

Buell's  arrival  has  saved   us,   certainly;  for  otherwise  the 

rebel  army  had  been  stronger   and   much   more    healthy  than 

ours. 

3 


8$         HUMEKOUS  ADVENTURHS  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

General  Grant  "was  with  his  aids  at  a  secesli  house,  ton  miles 
from  his  army,  when  the  fight  commenced.  There  are  said  to 
"be  some  handsome  dam(n)sel(l)s  there,  whose  brother  is  a  rebel 
officer,  and  who  are,  and  liave  been,  apparently  snch  good 
sound  Unionists  that  our  general  thought  them  all  right.  But 
they  probably  sent  what  news  they  heard  to  their  brother,  and 
it  was  thus,  mayhap,  the  secesh  army  moved  toward  as  and 
came  so  near  whipping  us. 

I  was  this  afternoon  put  in  possession  of  a  romance  which 
this  war  has  already  developed  to  within  a  singl#'  act  of  itiS 
denouement.  AVhen  James  C,  T2d  Ohio,  reached  the  barge  he 
pointed  out  to  me  Henry  M.,  one  of  his  comrades  in  his  own 
company,  and  then  proceeded  to  tell  me  "the  stot^v  of  their 
love."  It  seems  that  these  two  young  men  had  for  some  time 
been  rivals  for  the  affections  of  an  angel  in  calico  who  resided 
in  their  neighborhood.  The  young  lady  in  question  was  a  sound 
"Unionist,"  but  had  declared  for  "secession"  unless  the  other 
"sovrcign"  had  proved  his  courage  and  his  patriotism  on  his 
country's  battle  fields;  that,  hereafter,  no  home-staying  suitor 
need  trouble  her  with  his  presence  ;  cowards  were  more  hateful 
to  her  than  crawling  reptiles  ;  our  country  in  this,  her  hour  of 
cxtrcmest  peril,  needed  every  brave  heart  and  strong  arm  to 
meet  and  drive  back  the  most  dangerous  foe  who  had  ever  at- 
tempted her  destruction,  and  finished  by  saying: 

"  Who  defends  America  defends  America's  daughters  ;  who 
fights  for  one  fights  for  both.  If  both  are  not  wortli  fighting 
for  neither  is  worth  having*" 

James  and  Henry,  both  of  whom  were  postponing  their  en- 
listment only  to  urge,  each  for  himself,  that  she  would  permit 
him  to  carry  to  the  tented  field,  througli  all  his  duties  as  a  sol- 
dier, on  his  lonely  guard-beat,  in  the  hour  of  battle,  the  happy 
consciousness  that  one  heart  beat  quicker,  one  face  shone 
brighter,  one  eye  looked  clearer,  when /^/s  name  was  mentioned 
by  the  furloughed  comrade  or  the  army  correspondent  of  the 
home  paper,  immediately  joined  the  72d  Ohio.  They  arrived" 
here  about  as  good  friends  as  men  usually  are,  under  such  cir- 
cumstances. Both  entered  the  battle  to-day,  and,  with  the  first 
order,  each  solemnly  vowed  to  do  his  whole  duty,  to  outdo  the- 


HUMEEOUS    ADVENTURES    OF  A  YOLUlSrTEEE.  35 

other  in  bravery,  and  "to  win  tlie  lady  or  the  grave."  They  were 
placed  conspicuously,  and  fought  like  heroes,  until  Ilenr}'-  was 
struck  down  by  a  ball  in  the  hip,  when  James,  forgetful  of  self, 
forgetful  of  past  rivalry'-,  penetrated  by  that  generous  emotion 
which  is  always  a  distinguishing  characteristic  of  the  true 
soldier,  sprang  to  the  assistance  of  his  now  friend,  raised  him 
in  his  arms,  and  was  in  the  act  of  carrying  him  to  the  shelter 
of  a  neighboring  tree,  when  he  was  himself  the  recipient  of  a 
rebel  bullet  which  rendered  his  left  arm  powerless.  Still  he 
struggled  on,  carrying  his  friend  on  his  back  and  supporting 
him  there  with  his  right  arm,  a  noble  example  of  heroic  forti- 
tude. As  if  to  increase  his  difficulties  their  brigade  was  com- 
l^elled  to  fall  back  before  the  wounded  heroes  reached  the 
friendly  tree.  With  renewed  efforts  James  cheerfully  bent  to 
his  difficiilt  task,  and  triumphantly  bore  his  comrade  from  the 
field  of  carnage,  safely  arriving  here  an  hour  or  two  ago,  and 
both  are  now  on  the  hospital  boat,  from  whence,  it  is  to  be 
hoped,  they  will  be  sent  home  on  a  furlough  to  remain  until  they 
recover.  In  this  eventful  little  drama  there  is  but  one  more  act 
in  two  scenes :  Scene  lirst :  The  Choice.  Scene  second :  The 
Marriage.  Which  of  the  two  heroes  will  be  "the  choice"  it  is 
hard  to  say.  One  thing,  however,  we  wish  we  could  wliispcr 
into  the  ear  of  the  fair  cause  of  their  trouble  ;  either  of  tliera 
is  worthy  to  mate  with  the  fairest,  the  wisest,  the  best  of  the 
daughters  of  the  land. 

Our  division  under  Wallace,  which  left  here  about  1  P.  M., 
are  not  yet  engaged.  It  is  to  be  hoped  they  will  get  into  the 
action  pretty  soon,  and  then  give  the  enemy  harder  worlv  for 
their  impatient  delay.  The  heroic  11th  and  24th  Indiana;  the 
8th  Missouri,  whose  fame  is  world-wide,  and  the  5Sth  Oiiio, 
which  has  already  made  a  proud  record,  form  part  of  tliis 
force.  If  they  can  not  whip  double  their  number  of  rebels 
I  am  laboring  under  the  greatest  mistake  I  ever  made  in  all  my 
life. 

We  unfortunates  on  the  sick  list  are  compelled  to  guard 
the  company  stores  while  our  more  fortunate  comrades  win 
glory  on  the  bloody  field.  Were  we  permitted  we  are  anxious 
to  be  with  them,  but,  as  this  is  against  orders,  we  must  rcfc^igu 


36         HUMERDUS  ADVENTUKE3  OF  A  YOLUNTEEE. 

ourselves  to  submit  and  obey.  Some  of  us  have  asked  our  first 
lieutenant  to  let  us  go,  but  he,  under  the  circumstances,  thinks 
the  few  well  men  remaining  with  the  sick  are  at  their  proper 
posts.  Our  battalion,  commanded  by  Major  Hayes,  is  out 
guarding  a  number  of  wagons  which  left  hero  to  bring  in 
forage  and  provisions  to  our  departed  division.  They  will  do 
their  whole  duty  to  their  country,  although  they  are  only  armed; 
with  sabres.  The  few  pistols  we  have,  Josselyn's  patent,  are 
patently  worthless,  and  refuse  to  fire  at  a  foe;  they  are  conse- 
quently only  dangerous  to  their  owners.  Who  is  to  blame  for. 
this?  No  one,  of  course.  But  feeling  ourselves  fighting  in  a 
just  cause,  we  will  permit  none  to  exceed  us  in  the  faithful 
discharge  of  our  whole  duty  under  all  circumstances. 

6  o'clock  P.  M. — The  fire  has  somewhat  slackened  in  the  last 
half  hour,  and,  except  the  discharge  of  heavy  guns  from  our 
gunboats,  has  nearly  ceased  altogether.  Buell  has  arrived  with 
a  large  portion  of  his  force,  and  has  crossed  over  to  the  scene 
of  action.  A  large  portion  of  them  is  visible  going,  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river,  to  Savanna  to  obtain  transportation. 
A  number  of  transports  wdiich  passed  down  to-day,  some  of 
them  nearly  empty,  are  now  returning,  filled  to  their  utmost 
capacity  with  glorious  soldiers,  who  rend  the  sky  with  cheers 
as  they  pass  up  to  their  destination. 

Tliai  does  not  look  as  if  we  were  beaten  yet  awhile,  although 
some  of  the  steamers  stopping  their  engines  at  our  hail,  report 
our  being  driven  clear  to  the  river,  where  the  gunboats  are 
even  now  protecting  our  retreat.  From  all  we  can  see  and  hear, 
here  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  gunboats  have  saved  our  out 
numbered,  wearied  army  from  annihilation.  A, grateful  country 
•will  reward  their  services,  we  all  firmly  trust  and  believe. 

The  rebels  seem  to  have  advanced  last  night  to  within  two 
miles  of  our  pickets  so  silently  that  our  sleeping  sentinels  knew 
nothing  of  the  matter,  until  they  were  cut  down  or  captured  by 
the  enemy  in  the  morning,  who  followed  the  advantage  so 
quickly  that  a  part  of  our  forces,  especially  the  brigades  of 
Generals  Prentiss  and  Sherman,  were  cut  up  or  captured  before 
they  had  a  chance  to  defend  themselves.  General  Prentiss 
was  particularly  unfortunate,  as  ho  and  nearly  his  entire  com- 


HUMEKOUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.         37 

mand  were  captured  in  the  very  first  onset.  Under  these  cir- 
cumstances, thou  oh  tlicre  is  much  fanlt  somewliere,  the  men 
are  not  so  much  to  bhime  as  v^s  at  first  supposed.  Oppose 
any  body  of  men  to  a  fully  accoutred  army  of  disciplined 
troops,  let  them  be  taken  by  surprise,  and  they  will  do  no  better 
than  tliis  army,  many  of  whom  have  l^een  spoken  of  so  slioht- 
ingl}'.  The  fault  lies  not  with  the  men,  but  with  those  having 
command  of  them.  The  oflicers  who  ordered  the  men  to  save 
themselves  as  best  tliey  could,  soon  after  the  lirst  charge  was 
made  upon  them,  were  far  more  cowardly  than  words  can  tell. 
The  idea  of  permitting  guards  to  sleep  at  improper  periods  is 
a  manifest  injustice,  both  to  themselves  and  those  over  whose 
safety  they  are  su])posed  to  watch.  It  has  been  said,  and 
somewha^  truly  too,  that  a  greater  coward  or  scoundrel  never 
existed,  than  he  who  permits  others  to  do  as  much  infamy  as 
he  is  guilty  of  himself  at  all  times.  To  allow  guards  to  sleep 
at  such  a  time  was  attributable  to  some  of  their  officers;  and 
that  such  fcdlows  are  permitted  to  remain  in  the  service  is 
reprehensible  in  the  extreme.  Yet  some  of  them  will  retain 
their  commissions,  and,  cowards  as  they  are  and  always  will  be? 
will  feel  themselves  forgotten  and  neglected  if  they  are  not 
promoted.  Major  Ricker,  in  command  of  our  first  battalion, 
must  know  several  of  them,  because  when  he  drove  the  cow- 
ards of  our  army  from  the  river  whither  tiiey  liad  fled  this 
afternoon,  the  ofiicers  there  pretended  that  it  was  sickness  that 
affected  them,  and  rcpresente.l  themselves  as  unfit  for  further 
service  at  the  present  time.  The  next  fight  we  engage  in  we 
will  dress  part  of  the  shoulder  strap  gentry  in  petticoats,  and 
leave  them  in  camp  to  wash  the  linen  for  the  high  privates, 
while  the  latter  will  do  a  great  deal  better  fighting  without 
them. 

8  o'clock  P.  M. — ^It  is  thought  that  the  enemy,  if  they  have 
reliable  intelligence  of  our  numbers,  and  the  large  amount 
of  commissary  stores  remaining  here,  may  send  a  brigade  in 
this  direction  before  morning.  We  scarcely  believe  this,  how- 
ever, since  they  must  be  aware  of  the  large  reinforcements  we 
are  still  receiving  at  Pittsburg.  Tlieir  generals  are  too  well 
skilled  to  divide  their  forces  now  to  accomplish  such  an  object. 


88         nUMEKOUS  ADTENTUKES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

for,  if  tliey  beat  ns  ngain  to  morrow,  tliey  will  capture  tlietn 
williout  anj  additioual  risk  to  themselves.  Yes,  if  thev  whip 
ns  ai^ain  to-morrow  they  caW^liave  them.  But,  \A^allace  and 
IJucU  will  have  something  to  i^ay  and  do  to  them  that  Avill  make 
their  hearts  ache.  If  thirty- live  thousand  taken  by  surprise 
can  contest  the  Held  with  eigty  or  one  linudred  thousand  re])els 
for  twelve  hours,  what  will  not  our  tried  heroes  do  witli  them 
to-morrow,  nnder  the  leadership,  of  such  men  as  Eousseau, 
AVallace,  Nelson,  and  Sherman.  Ah,  if  they  only  remain  on 
the  held  till  to-raorrow  the  Republic  is  safe  and  the  war  will  be 
much  sooner  ended. 

April-  7. — Glory  to  God !  the  enemy  is  still  on  the  ground, 
and  the  contest  is  renewed.  Now,  gallant  patriots,  to  your 
posts,  and  show  them  that  you  will  not  only  "scotch  the  snake 
of  ]obellion,"  but  crush  it.  Be  your  arn^s  nerved  and  your 
liearts  determined  this  day  by  the  justness  of  your  cause. 
Let  ever}' man  but  do  his  duty,  and  victory,  glorious  victory, 
can  not  fail  to  perch  upon  our  standard. 

Generals  Nelson,  McCook,  and  Crittenden,  of  Buell's  army, 
commanding  the  second,  fourth,  and  fifth  divisions  thereof,  are 
going  to  do  good  service  now.  They  enter  this  morning's  en- 
gagement first. 

Five  of  our  divisions,  under  Mc'Clernand,  W.  11.  L.  Wallace, 
ilurlbuit,  Sherman,  and  Prentiss,  were  pretty  badly  used  yes- 
terday. The  sixth,  under  Prentiss,  is  about  gone,  and  those 
under  vSherman  and  Hurlburt  have  lost  a  great  many.  McCler- 
.nand  and  W.  H.  L.  Wallace  are  also  severe  losers,  the  number? 
in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing  being  about  two  thousand 
each. 

Having  ascertained  our  plans,  the  secesh  generals  struck  at 
a  time  when  such  a  blow  was  not  expected.  They  thought  tp 
surprise  us  with  an  overwhelming  force,  and,  by  creating  a 
sudden  panic  among  our  divisions,  drive  us  into  tlie  river.  That 
this  was  their  great  design,  their  silent  advance  night  before 
last,  and  their  sudden  attack  yesterday  morning,  clearly  proves. 
Slierman's  and  Ilurlburt's  divisions  were  attacked  near  Shiloh 
church,  they  being  the  left  wing,  and  the  first  engaged  ;  their 
losses  were  consequently   severe.     It  was   here   that  Water- 


HUMEEOUS  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.         39 

house's  and  Taylor's  batteries  opened  ou  the  rebel  forces,  and 
their  fii-e  across  an  open  Held  became  general.  Tlie  enemy- 
then  left  flanked  Sherman,  and  drove  Prentiss  partly  to  tlie 
rear.  He  fell  back  about  9  o'clock  A.  M.  Appier's  and  Alnn- 
ger's  regiments,  under  Colonel  Ilildebrand,  then  left  the  bat- 
teries of  Waterhouse  and  Taylor  and  also  retreated,  Waterhouse 
losing  three  of  his  guns.  Taylor's  battery,  still  at  Shiloh,  was 
ordered  to  fall  back  on  the  Hamburgh  road,  which  it  did  safely, 
accompanied  by  McDowell's  and  Buckland's  forces.  Captain 
Behr's  battery  was  all  lost  near  by,  the  men  flying  from  tlieir 
guns  on  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  McDowell  and  Buckland 
joined  McClernand  on  the  right,  by  orders,  at  about,  10  A.  M.; 
and  all  our  camps  on  the  left  were  soon  after  taken  possession 
of  by  the  enemy.  Previous  to  this,  General  Hurlburt  had  re- 
ceived orders,  and  advanced  the  second  brigade,  under  Colonel 
Veatch,  to  the  left  of  Sherman,  which  went  into  action  imme- 
diately on  its  arrival,  and  fought  as  well  and  hard  as  any  force 
on  earth  could  do.  They  were  the  25th  Indiana,  and  the  lith, 
15th,  and  4Gth  Illinois. 

t  These  men  formerl  in  line  of  battle,  and,  moving  on  to  the 
attack,  met  Sherman's  flying  men  on  the  roads  along  the  routes 
lor  miles.  Tliey  had  been  com]3letely  surprised  by  the  enemj^'s 
attack,  and  strewed  their  blankets,  knapsacks,  and  guns  along 
the  route  as  they  fled.  The  men  in  the  second  brigade  tried 
hard  to  stem  the  tide  of  battle,  but,  as  everything  -was  breaking 
lip  around  them,  they  could  not  stand  the  destructive  fire  of  the 
rebels  for  any  length  of  time  unless  at  the  expense  of  tot?l 
annihilation.  They  poured  in  a  few  well  directed  volleys,  and 
then  reluctently  retreated,  firing  as  they  fell  back.  Their  loss 
was  quite  heavy,  as  nearly  all  their  field  officers  were  killed  or 
wounded. 

Hildebrand'e  forces  were  evidently  poor  figliters  in  this  inj 
stance,  as  they  flinched  in  a  short  time  under  the  appalling  fire 
sent  into  them.  It  is  said  of  them  by  a  writer  that  "they  had 
no  stomach  for  a  fight,  since  no  command  or  entreaty  of  ofliccrs 
—no  appeal  to  their  patriotism  or  to  their  sense  of  shame — 
no  taunts  of  cowardice  or  threats  of  disgrace  could  call  them 
again  into  action."     They  drifted  through  the  lines  of  Hurlburt; 


•40  nuMEEors  advektcees  of  a  volunteer. 

and  McClernand,  and  for  the  remainder  of  the  day  songht  and 
found  safety  and  repose  under  the  river  bank,  some  talcing  logs 
and  drowning  in  the  attempt  to  swim  the  river;  the  balance 
only  waiting  an  opportune  moment  to  seize  the  transports  'which 
had  gone  do-wn  to  Savanna. 

About  10:30  A.  M.,  the  enemy  made  a  furious  attack  upon 
General  McClernand's  whole  line  ;  but  a  brigade  under  Mc- 
Dowell came  up,  and,  attacking  the  left  flank  of  the  secession 
army,  forced  them  back  some  distance  for  a  time,  probably 
four  or  five  hours ;  and  then  our  men,  taking  cover  of  a  wooded 
valley  and  some  fallen  timber  in  the  rear,  sometimes  gaining 
and  sometimes  losing  ground,  were  finally  compelled  to  retreat. 
The  almost  deafening  roar  of  artillery,  the  rattle  of  musketry, 
the  bursting  of  shells,  the  whirr-r  r  of  cannon  balls,  and  the 
zip,  zip,  zi-i  ip  of  bullets  were  all  that  could  be  heard  at  the 
lime,  and  plainly  showed  that  the  contest  on  both  sides  was  for 
victory  or  death. 

In  extenuation  of  the  conduct  of  Sherman's  men,  he  has  said 
that  his  division  Avas  made  up  of  new  regiments,  nearly  all  of 
whom  received  their  arms  at  Paducah,  Kentucky.  None  of 
them  had  ever  been  under  fire  before,  or  beheld  heavy  columns 
of  an  enemy  bearing  down  npon  them,  as  tliey  did  yesterday. 
The  general  did  not  expect  the  coolness  or  steadiness  of  older 
troops,  under  the  circumstances,  nor  did  other  persons  ;  and 
they  would  be  all  right  Avith  a  little  experience.  Hurlburt's 
division,  which  was  in  reserve,  saved  Sherman  and  Prentiss  by 
solidly  keeping  the  ranks  of  his  first  and  third  brigades  in  front, 
after  he  received  the  request  to  assist  them;  which  he  did  with 
the  41  St,  28th,  and  32d  Illinois,  and  3d  Iowa.  The  31st  and 
4:4th  Indiana,  and  the  17th  and  25th  Kentucky  regiments,  and 
the  first  and  second  battalions  of  the  5th  Ohio  volunteer  cav- 
alry, together  with  the  batteries  of  Matm  and  Ross,  the  2nd 
Michigan,  and  Myers's  13th  Ohio  battery,  drew  near  the  left 
of  Prentiss  ;  but  his  regiments  drifted  through  our  advance. 
Prentiss  made  strong  efforts  to  stop  their  retreat,  and  at  last 
succeeded  in  rallying  a  large  portion  of  his  men.  They  re- 
deemed their  honor  by  maintaining  the  line  they  now  formed, 
and   remained   near  Hurlburt's   third  and  fighting    brigade. 


HUMER0U8   AD^'ENTURES    OF  A  VOLUNTEER-.  41 

Shortly  before  this,  however,  ]\ryers's  13th  Ohio  'battery  was 
deserted  by  the  oflficers  and  men  belorio^inf^  to  it.  It  is  to  be 
hoped  that  for  this  contemptible  piece  of  cowardice,  they  will 
at  the  earliest  practicable  moment  after  the  close  of  this  battle, 
be  tried  and  receive  the  death  penalty  so  richly  merited  by 
them. 

Eoss's  battery  lost  manj'-  men  here,  and  was  ordered  to  the 
rear,  when  Mann's  battery,  maintaining  its  fire  very  steadily, 
sent  shot  and  shell  into  the  enemy's  ranks,  and  kept  its  position 
with  great  lirmness  until  all  were  compelled  to  retreat  to  the 
river. 

The  correspondent  of  the  Cincinnati  Times,  Mr.  Spencer, 
wrote  a  full  account  of  yesterday's  battle,  and,  for  the  purpose 
of  telling  more  than  I,  or  any  other  paticipant,  can  know  about 
it,  and,  at  the  same  time,  to  place  one  of  his  highly  inter- 
esting letters  here,  I  have  left  this  place  open  in  my  diary. 
I  have  seen  the  writer  frequently.  He  is  a  gentleman  well 
liked  by  us  all,  and  is  the  correspondent  of  a  paper  we  highly 
prize : 

"AViththe  first  demonstration  of  the  enemy  upon  the  left 
wing,  it  was  to  be  seen  that  all  the  fury  was  being  poured  out 
upon  it,  with  the  determination  that  it  should  give  way.  For 
nearly  two  hours  a  sheet  of  fire  blazed  from  both  columns,  and 
I  could  liken  the  explosion  of  the  small  arms  to  nothing  save 
a  canebrake  in  a  conflagration.  The  Mississippi  riflemen,  a 
large  and  well  organized  body  of  good  marksmen  and  desperate 
men,  fought  with  a  valor  that  was  only  equalled  by  those  who 
received  their  unerring  fire,  and  returned  it  with  an  energy 
which  assured  them  that  many  of  those  Avho  had  received  the 
fire  at  Fort  Donelson  were  in  the  ranks  before  them. 

"In  this  cjuarter  it  seemed,  for  the  period  of  nearly  an  hour, 
that  the  enemy  would  succeed  in  driving  our  forces.  Three 
different  times  they  drove  our  men  slowly  before  them  until 
they  came  in  sight  of  the  river,  and  were  plainly  visible  to  all 
on  the  main  landing  below.  Up  to  3  o'clock,  it  will  bo  remem- 
bered, the  battle  raged  with  a  fury  which  defies  description. 
At  all  poiiits  the  rebels  found  every  effort  to  break  our  lines 
unavailing.    They  had  striven  to  drive  in  our  main   columnSj 


42  HUMEROUS    ADYENTUEE8    OF  A    VOLUNTEEE. 

and,  finding  that  impossible,  had  turned  all  their  strength  upon 
the  left  wing.  Foiled  in  that  quarter,  they  now  made  another 
attack  upon  the  center  and  fought  like  tigers.  They  found  our 
lines  well  prepared  for,  and  in  anticipation  of  their  coming; 
every  man  at  his  post,  and  all  waiting  to  bring  the  contest  to  a 
definite  conclusion. 

"In  hourly  expectation  of  the  arrival  of  the  forces  under 
Generals  Nelson  and  Thomas,  who  were  at  Savanna  and  I  o  whom 
messages  had  been  sent,  (a  fact  as  well  known  to  the  secession- 
ists as  to  ourselves,)  they  made  every  effort  to  route  our  forces 
before  these  reinforcements  could  come  forward.  Th(\y  were, 
however,  fighting  against  a  wall  of  fire  and  steel,  manned  by 
as  brave  hearts  as  ever  smelled  gunpowder.  Volley  answered 
to  volley,  and  for  a  time  the  battle  of  the  morning  was, re-en- 
acted over  the  same  ground,  and  with  the  same  vigor  on  both 
eides. 

"At  five  o'clock  there  was  a  short  cessation  in  the  firing  of 
enemy,  their  lines  failing  back  in  the  center  for  tiie  distance, 
perhaps,  of  nearly  a  mile.  They  then  suddenly  wheeled,  and 
again  threw  their  whole  force  upon  the  left  wing,  determined 
to  make  the  final  struggle  of  the  day  in  that  quarter.  The  gun- 
boat Lexington,  in  the  meantime,  had  arrived  from  Savanna, 
and  after  sending  a  messenger  to  General  Grant  to  ascertain  in 
which  direction  the  enemy  then  lay  from  the  river,  the  two 
boats  took  position  about  half  a  mile  above  the  landing  and 
poured  their  shell  up  a  deep  ravine,  reaching  the  river  to  the 
right.  The  shots  were  thick  and  fast,  and  told  with  thrilling 
effect. 

"  In  the  meantime.  General  Wallace  had  taken  a  circuitous 
route  from  Crump's  landing,  and  appeared  suddenly  on  the 
right  wing  of  the  enemy.  In  face  of  this  combination  of  cir- 
cumstances, tlie  rebels  felt  that  their  enterprise  was,  for  the  day, 
a  failure,  and,  as  night  was  about  at  hand,  fell  back,  fighting  as 
"they  went,  until  they  reached  an  advantageous  position  some- 
what in  the  rear,  and  yet  occupying  the  main  road  to  Corinth- 

"The  gunboats  continued  to  send  their  shell  after  them  until 
they  were  entirely  out  of  reach.  Thus  ends  an  outline  of  the 
battle  of  the  first  day." 


HUMEEOUS   ADVENTURES   OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  43 

Mr.  Spencer  made  but  one  mistake  in  tliis  letter,  which  was 
in  regard  to  the  arrival  of  General  "Wallace.  His  guide  lost 
the  way  and  he  did  not  arrive  until  after  dark.  But  to-day  he 
■  is  there,  and  has  just  gone  into  the  fracas.  We  have  full  intel- 
'ligence  of  the  battle  from  wounded  officers  who  are  constantly 
coming  in  to  the  now  over-crowded  hospitals.  This  morning, 
if  permitted,  we  design  going  to  the  immediate  scene  of  action. 
It  was  General  W.  H.  L.  Wallace  whose  division  had  arrived ; 
so,  after  all,  the  only  error  of  the  correspondent  was  in  omitting 
the  innitials  which  distinguish  the  two  Wallaces.  Generals 
W.  H.  L.  Wallace  and  McArthur  were  mortally  wounded  in 
their  attack  on  the  enemy's  right,  but  they  succeeded  in  keep- 
ing the  enemy  at  bay  until  the  day's  battle  was  over.  When 
they  fell  Colonel  Tattle  took  the  command.  JVJcClernand's 
forces  distinguished  themselves  by  the  brilliant  part  they  took 
in  the  engagement.  In  fact,  ncai'ly  all  our  men  fought  nobly 
throughout  the  battle.  The  Illinois  regiments,  especially  the 
14th,  and  the  25tli  Indiana  and  .5th  0.  V.  C.  partly  saved  us 
from  destruction  yesterday.  The  skill  of  the  rebel  generals 
had  nearly  defeated  us,  driving  us  toward  the  river,  at  about  4 
P.  M.  Ic  was  now  that  McCleruand  did  so  well,  causing  charges 
by  noble  western  soldiers  which  kept  at  bay  the  secesh  Tigers, 
Avalanches,  Zouaves,  Gladiators,  and  Invincibles,  who  attacked 
us,  and  caused  the  bloodiest  battlefield  the  Union  ever  had 
since  it  was  formed. 

An  observer  of  the  contest  thus  writes  in  regard  to  this  ter- 
rible battle  : 

"  Each  man  fought  as  if  success  or  defeat  depended  on  liis 
own  right,  arm;  and  charge  after  charge  was  made  upon  the 
rebels  to  regain  the  ground  we  had  lost.  They  stood  firm  as  a 
rock;  and  though  our  artillery  often  swept  down  their  ranks 
and  left  fearful  gaps  in  their  columns,  they  manifested  no  trep- 
idation, nor  did  they  waver  for  a  moment.  The  living  supplied 
the  place  of  the  dead  ;  the  musket  that  had  fallen  from  a  life- 
less hand  was  seized  at  once,  and  ihe  horrid  strife  swept  on  as 
before.  The  force  of  the  enemy  appeared  increasing,  and 
.where  the  greatest  havoc  was  made,  there  the  strongest  oppo- 
sition was  shown.     Hand  to  hand  to  hand  contests  were  iuuiV" 


'44         HUMER0U8  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

merable.  Eveiy  struggle  was  for  life.  Quarter  was  asked  on 
neither  side,  and -the  ground  drank  np  the  blood  of  hundreds 
of  brave  fellows  every  hour.  Men  lost  their  semblance  of  hu- 
manity, and  the  spirit  of  the  demon  shone  in  their  faces;  there, 
was  but  one  desire,  and  that  was  tu  destroy  ;  there  was  littllEf 
shouting;  the  warriors  M^ere  too  much  in  earnest;  they  set 
their  teeth  firm,  and  strained  every  nerve  to  its  utmost  tension. 
Death  lost  all  its  terrors,  and  men  seemed  to  feast  upon  the 
sight  of  blood." 

On  the  next  day,  our  reinforcements  having  come  up,  as  I 
stated  before,  we  shortly  affer  daylight  re-commenced  the  fight; 
our  division,  under  Lew.  Wallace,  taking  the  right,  and  form- 
ing the  right  wing.  Buell's  division  took  the  left,  upon  which 
the  rebel  artillery  first  opened  fire.  Both  sides  were  soon  en- 
gaged here;  but  the  advantage  was  with  us.  The  greatest 
number  of  rebel  infantry  were,  however,  gathered  in  strong 
force  upon  our  right  wing,  in  order  to  fall  upon  that  and  drive 
"Wallace  from  his  position.  He  drove  back  tlie  rebels,  using 
Thompson's  and  Tiiirbcr's  batteries,  and  halting  on  a  bluff  to 
await  the  appearance  of  Sherman  for  a  co-operation  to  recap- 
ture our  camp  that  was  taken  yesterday.  Sherman  had  gone 
to  McOlernand,  however,  and  soon  Wallace  changed  front,  and, 
being  protected  by  Snake  creek,  half-wheeled  the  whole  di- 
vision, the  first  brigade  occupying  the  strip  of  woods  near  the 
battery  commanded  b}^  Tliirber,  and  which  Thompson  had  oc- 
cupied while  his  amunition  lasted. 

The  rebels  now  made  an  attack,  but  were  quickly  driven  back 
by  the  8th  Missouri,  who  sent  afire  at  them,  which  caused  their 
immediate  flight,  our  regiment  sufl'ering  but  little.  The  rebels 
were  in  the  woods  principall}',  having  been  driven  there  by  our 
first  and  second  brigades,  who  held  for  some  time  all  of  their 
positions  in  front  of  the  woods.  Our  left,  then  under  General 
Sherman,  advanced,  covered  by  Lieutenant  Wood's  Chicago 
light  artillery,  and  gained  McClernand's  old  camp  on  the  road 
to  Corinth.  It  was  here  that  Bnell's  veterans  were  met  by 
them,  and  gave  them  a  confidence  previously  unpossessed,  and 
they  entered  the  hitherto  dreaded  woods,  a  portion  under  Mc- 
Cook  and  Rousseau,  and  soon  sent  the  eneni}'-,  under  Beaure- 


nUMEEOUS  ADVENTDEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEK.         45 

gard,  Polk,  Bragg,  and  Breckinridge,  flying.  This  was  about 
the  center,  and  it  was  here  that  McCook's  division  did  its  best 
fighting,  driving  the  enemy  back  the  way  they  came,  from  the 
center  of  the  fieId_o£  battle  which  they  stole  along  to  on  yester- 
day. :on  .V,;; 

Ilnrlburt,  on  the  left,  was  also  doing  good  service  at  this 
time  near  McClernand,  and  while  successfally  engaged  in  stop- 
ping a  flank  movement  of  the  enemy,  held  their  ground  until 
all  the  firing  ceased.  Lew.  Wallace,  having  forced  the  enemy 
on  the  rigjit,  pushed  on  his  columns  until  the  rebel  cavalry,  in 
strong  force,  tried  to  cut  our  right  flank,  but  were  soon  driven 
ofl'  by  a  part  of  the  1st  Nebraka,  23d  and  11th  Indiana,  and 
the  20th,  2Sth,  5Sth,  TGth,  and  TSth  Ohio. 

When  we  entered  the  woods  we  did  not  stop,  but  drove  them 
on,  while  Beauregard  was  trying,  by  all  the  eloquence  of  which 
he  was  master,  to  stop  the  retreat  of  his  flying  troops,  but  all 
in  vain. 

At  4  P.  M.  the  contest  w^as  raging  in  every  direction,  until  at 
last  the  enemy,  being  driven  at  all  points,  were  routed;  and 
oiir  men  rent  the  sky  with  their  cheers,  making  the  welkin  ring 
again  as  they  joyously  engaged  in  the  eager  pursuit.  Buell 
drove  the  enemy's  right  wing.  While  our  division  were  driving 
the  left  the  secesh  fled  to  their  camps,  which  were  two  miles 
beyond  ours,  and  were,  previous  to  yesterday's  fight,  occupied 
by  General  Sherman.  Terrill's  and  Mendenhall's  batteries  at- 
tacked them  near  this  camp,  taking  many  pieces  of  their  artil- 
lery and  partially  causing  their  final  defeat.  Their  resistance 
here  was  determined  and  obstinate,  until  they  were  broken  by 
Rousseau's  brigade.  They  were  then  completely  repulsed  on 
our  center  and  I'ight,  and  General  McClernand*'s  headquarters 
retaken  by  his  forces.  The  enemy  fled  through  the  open  fields 
and  only  refoi-med  when  they  reached  the  woods  bc3^ond.  They 
had  been  fighting  desperately  all  along  our  lines,  and  many  of 
our  boys  having  discharged  all  their  amunition  we  spent  quite 
a  while  in  completely  exhausting  and  driving  the  enemy  before 
us.  The  rebels  tried  to  increase  the  vigor  of  their  resistance 
then,  but  to  no  purpose;  for,  Rousseau's  brigade  being  again 
supplied  _with  amunition,  our  whole  force  advanced,  and  the 


46         HUMEROUS  ADVENTUKES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

result  was  a  quick  retreat  of  the  enemy  in  every  direction. 
Beauregard  made  every  endeavor,  by  appeal,  by  command,  by 
the  most  reckless  exposure  of  his  person  along  the  entire  line, 
to  stay  the  retreat  of  his  troops ;  but  every  effort  was  in  vain, 
and  his  men  all  fled  hastily  and  in  dire  confusion  along  the 
Corinth  roads. 

The  nature  of  our  pursuit  was  feeble,  as  the  direction  to 
move  was  poor,  and  our  cavalry  movements  were  feeble,  and 
our  harrassing  for  a  tinae  somewhat  restrained ;  our  pursuit, 
therefore,  for  a  mile  or  two  was  comparatively  useless.  The 
topography  of  the  country  was  so  little  known  that  it  was  con- 
sidered hazardous  to  penetrate  into  the  enemj's  ranks.  The 
neglect  of  our  generals  in  not  acquainting  themselves  with  the 
nature  and  character  of  the  ground  over  which  the  retreat  and 
pursuit  was  to  take  place  was,  to  say  the  least,  unfortunate  in 
the  extreme.  But  for  this  act  of  carelessness  our  great  triumph 
would  have  been  greater  still,  resulting,  instead  of  in  a  mere 
route,  in  a  complete  surrenaer  of  the  entire  rebel  arm}^  and  the 
immediate  capture  of  Corinth  with  the  immense  stores  of  sup- 
plies that  were  there. 

Many  have  written  home  about  this  battle,  who  say  that  pre- 
vious to  this  day's  fight,  tliey  expected  failures  in  regard  to 
conquest,  as  we  were  far  from  being  as  numerous  or  as  well 
posted  as  the  enemy.  This,  however,  has  proved  a  grand  mis- 
take, although  we  were  not,  like  some  of  the  enemy,  residents 
near  the  place  where  we  fought  at.  We  trust  to  meet  the  rebel 
scoundrels  soon,  and  give  them  all  they  deserve.  May  they 
never  gain  a  success. 

April  8. — On  this  eventful  morn,  I,  in  company  with  two 
others,  started,  with  our  lieutenant's  consent,  from  Crump's 
landing  to  the  field  of  battle,  in  order  to  find  our  third  battalion 
which  was  reported  near  or  beyond  Shiloh  church.  An  hour's 
hasty  riding  brought  us  to  the  field  near  Pittsburgh  landing. 
All  along  the  roa^l  two-thirds  of  the  houses  have  raised  a  white 
flag  to  show  their  peaceful  intentions  toward  the  victors  on 
either  side;  whether  or  not  they  were  Unionists  we  care  but 
very  little. 

The  battle  field  is  some  four  or  five  miles  in  length,  and,  in 


HUMEK0U3  ADVENTUKE3  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.         47 

many  places,  over  a  mile  in  width.  This  is  nearly  all  covered 
with  dead,  the  rebels  being  as  many  as  five  to  one.  There  are 
articles  of  many  kinds,  such  as  carbines,  guns,  amunition,  ar- 
tillery, wagons,  and  horses,  laying  all  around  through  the  field, 
some  of  which  have  been  picked  up  by  many  of  our  own  men 
of  small  regiments,  and  taken  by  various  quartermasters. 

The  unfaltering  heroism  of  a  great  many  of  our  Ohio,  Indi- 
ana, Illinois,  Kentucky,  Iowa,  and  Michigan  boys,  was  very 
remarkable  yesterday,  and  their  losses  very  severe,  for  which 
we  all  trust  their  country  will  do  them  honor;  and  remember 
that  they  fought  the  same  ground  over  several  times,  against 
maiurities  of  the  enemy,  who,  enthusiastic  as  they  often  are, 
were  finally  compelled  to  retreat,  and  left  everything  in  our 
hands. 

The  field  was  covered  with  bodies  lying  dead  all  over  it.  In 
digging  the  graves  there  were  frequently  over  one  hundred 
bodies,  piiucipally  rebels,  placed  m  one  hole,  their  dead  being 
at  least  three  to  one  of  ours.  There "was  scarcely  i  place  upon 
the  whole  field  upon  which  many  dead  were  not  lying  and  our 
men  digging  their  graves  ;  in  one  of  which  nearly  two  hundred 
bodies  were  placed.  Near  this,  on  the  limb  of  a  large  tree, 
was  a  portion  of  the  leg  of  an  artillerist,  which  was  taken 
down  and  interred.  This  was  close  to  the  place  wh^^e  General 
Grant  sat  upon  his  horse  about  4  P.  M.  on  Sunday,  and  where 
Captain  Carson,  our  scout,  was  killed,  and  several  others  were 
wounded ;  and  to  the  left  of  where  Sherman,  had  his  head  not 
been  somewhat  lowered,  would  also  have  received  a  fatal 
wound.  There  was  scarcely  a  tree  about  here  M'hich  had  not 
from  one  to  twenty  holes  in  it,  most  of  them  made  by  cannon 
balls  and  many  of  them  by  large  shot.  To  the  left  of  this  also 
Hurlburt  came  near  having  his  life  terminated  by  a  rebel  bul- 
let. 

Here  my  two  companions  separated  from  me,  and  I  made 
off  for  Shiloh  church,  where  it  was  represented  our  battalion 
had  gone,  in  order  to  do  more  service,  if  necessary.  As  I  went 
along  I  saw  rebel  wagons,  caisons,  and  dead  horses  in  lai-ge 
numbers,  lying,  with  tents  and  sutler's  boxes,  in  all  directions. 
I  hastened  on,  until  at  last  I  found  our  men  formed  in  line  of 


48         HUMEEOUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEK. 

battle  in  frpnt  of  Sherman's  division.  Shortly  after  my  arrival 
we  were  ordered, to  advance,  and  just  then  the  71st  Ohio  was 
attacked  by  rebel  cavalry,  and  were  compelled,  with  many 
killed  and  wounded,  to  retreat.  Then  we  received  orders  to 
advance,  with  the  third  battalion  of  the  11th  Illinois  cavalry  a 
mile  or  so  behind  us,  in  order  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  mak- 
ing an  attack  on  our  rear;  and  if  tliey  were  near  us  to  fight 
them  and  capture  all  we  could. 

We  started  along, the  main  Corinth  road.  Instead  of  going 
one  mile  we  went  out  six,  without  discovering,  until  we  reached 
a  creek,  the  cavalry  we  were  after.  Here  they  had  burned  the 
bridge  and  we  could  go  no  further.  AVe  formed  a  line  of  battle 
in  order  to  cause  a  melee,  to  no  purpose,  however,  as  we  .only 
captured  a  black  servant,  with  the  horse  of  a  rebel  captain,  at 
the  ])lace.  We  went  far  beyond  where  we  were  ordered  to, 
contrary  to  the  vehemently  expressed  Vvishes  of  the  commander 
of  the  31th  Illinois,  who  was  with  us.  But  Major  Hayes  of 
ours  was  determined  on  a  fracas  and  promotion,  if  possible  j 
and  so  all  had  to  follow  and  do  as  he  deemed  best.  We  liked 
it  finel}^,  but  we  unexpectedly  returned  without  a  battle,  as  we 
were  sure  we  would  have  before  we  reached  our  camps  once 
more. 

Along  our  course  there  were  many  small  rebel  camps  on 
either  side  of  the  road,  and  some  four  miles  out  was  a  large 
hospital  full  of  rebel  wounded,  and  several  physicians  attending 
on  them.  These  we  did  not  trouble.  I  notice  and  record  all 
these  little  facts,  because  I  am  corresponding  with  a  paper,  and 
have  engaged  to  write  one  letter  a  week  while  I  am  in  the  ser- 
vice. 

After  returning  I  was  compelled  to  go  back  to  Crump's  land- 
ing, where  I  arrived  about  5  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  There  I 
was  compelled,  by  orders,  to  remain  with  our  sick,  a  largo 
number  of  whom  were  in  bed  in  their  tents.  The  men  who  left 
the  battle  field  on  Sunday  and  came  here  flying,  were  compelled 
to  return  by  their  ollicers.  There  were  5,000  of  them,  most 
of  whom  were  arrant  cowards,  well  deserving  the  halter.  Not 
satisfied  with  derscrting  their  comrades  in  the  hour  of  danger, 
thvy  hid  in  the  woods  when  they  were  sought  for. 


HtJMEROUS   AI/TENTUKES    OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  49 

April  10. — Major  Hurst  is  raising  a  regiment  of  his  neigh- 
bors and  friends,  and  has  some  two  hundred  men,  \vho  are  in 
tents,  and  receive  clothing  and  provisions  from  us,  but,  as  3'et, 
no  horses,  as  these  animals  are  scarce  at  present.  Tliey  seem 
resolved  to  be  iirmlj-  in  favor  of  our  Union  cause,  and  are, 
generally,  large,  stout  men. 

The  weather  is  quite  good  now;  the  sun  shines  pleasantly, 
and  birds  and  suaikes  are  plentiful.  A  good  many  deaths  are 
taking  place  at  this  period,  and  our  graveyard,  on  top  of  the 
hill  near  the  river,  is  becoming  quite  large.  Colonel  Canbry, 
of  the  72d  Ohio,  and  others  who  were  brought  here  wounded, 
have  expired.  Colonel  Canbry  was  shot  through  the  breast. 
His  wife,  on  a  visit  to  him,  only  arrived  after  he  died.  We 
have  many  wounded  in  hospital  from  this  T2d  Ohio,  also  of 
the  4St]i,  5:ith  and  57th  Ohio;  the  11th,  ] 5th,  40th,  and  61st 
Illinois,  Colonel  Moore,  of  the  Cist,. is  killed  and  the  major 
wounded.  The  Gth  Iowa,  the  21st  and  25th  Missouri  have  also 
some  of  their  wounded  here.  Boats  filled  with  soldiers  keep 
coming  up  the  river  and  pass  us  here,  cheered  and  wislied  ail 
kinds  of  good  hick  after  their  arrival  at  Pittsburg  landing. 

April  13. — This  morning  a  colonel  of  our  army  commanding 
two  regiments  near  Adamsville,  four  miles  from  here,  has  sent 
in  asking  us  to  bring  out  one  hundred  cavalry,  in  order  to  cap- 
ture sevei-al  rebel  ollicers,  who  are  now  at  home,  between  him 
and  Purdy,  and  ol)tain  all  the  news  for  him  we  can.  This  we 
can  not  do,  as  our  battalion  has  been  gone  several  da3^s  to  the 
advance  of  Grant's  forces.  We  raised  ten  men,  however,  and, 
although  our  first  lieutenant  Avas  at  first  opposed  to  so  few  of 
ns  going  to  do  suoh  perilous  work,  he  at  last  consented,  and  out 
we  went  to  the  colonel  who  sent  for  a  hundred  of  us,  and  from 
him  received  the  loan  of  guns  and  the  order  not  to  go  very 
far  with  so  few  men.  We  started  on  the  Purdy  road,  and  at 
Adamsville  captured  John  Combs,  a  rebel  adjutant,  whom  I 
sent  by  one  of  our  men  back  to  the  colonel  under  whose  orders 
Ave  were  acting.  We  immediatel}'  started  on  again,  and  searched 
some  of  the  houses  as  we  went  along,  in  order  to  find  rebels  or 
arms.  In  a  house  about  three  miles  beyond  Adamsville  we 
found  a  dying  rebel  soldier,  who  began  to  weep  as  we  ent-cred  ;; 


50  nUMEROUS  ADVENTUKE3  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

seeing  tliat  lie  was  nearly  gone,  we  left  there,  and  again  start- 
ino-  out,  we  saw  some  three  or  four  men  riduig  r.p  the  way  we 
were  going,  and  we  halti^d  in  order  to  attack  and  destroy  them 
provided  they  were  secessionists.  They  proved  to  be  Major 
Hurst,  Mr.  Browning,  and  members  of  our  regiment;  and  as 
they  advised,  we  started  to  Purdy,  in  order  to  capture  all  the 
rebel  officers,  residents  of  the  place,  who  were  at  home.  The 
principal  portion  of  the  secesli  army  had  gope  to  Corinth,  in 
fear  that  we  would  attack  this  place  as  soon  as  we  conld.  In 
o'iving  this  advice  and  proffering  his  assistance  to  carry  it  out, 
Major  Hurst  proved  himself  to  be  a  very  daring  person  ;  for, 
it  will  be  remembered,  Purdy  is  the  town  whence  he  had  been 
driven  shortly  after  the  beginning  of  the  war.  He  knew 
what  to  do  and  when  to  do  it,  and  we  gladly  went  through  tho 
woods  and  creeks,  with  bridges  destroyed,  until  we  ariived  at 
the  top  of  the  hill,  a  mile  from  the  to'\vn.=  There  we  halted  to 
observe  all  we  could,  in  every  diiection,  and  to  obtain  Major 
Hurst's  order  how  to  proceed.  We  asked  the  men  with  us  if 
they  were  willing  to  enter  the  place,  and  they  all  decided  on 
goino'  if  Hurst  wished  them  to  do  so. 

One  half  were  ordered  to  a  colonel's  residence,  at  the  left 
end  of  Main  street,  and  the  rest,  seven  of  us,  to  enter  at  the 
other  end  of  the  same  street,  and  capture  another  rebel  oiliccr 
who  lived  in  a  beautiful  large  white  house.  Mr.  Browning  for- 
merly resided  near  this  house,  and,  under  his  guidance,  we  soon 
came  to  it.  Our  search  proved  unavailing,  however,  for  we  found 
only  women  there,  one  of  whom,  the  wife  of  the  owner,  stated 
that  her  husband  had  gone  to  Corinth,  under  orders  from  Gen- 
eral B(fauregard,  and  adding  an  expression  of  pretended  regret 
that  Americans  were  now  ilghling  each  other  and  destroying 
the  whole  nation.  The  colonel  at  the  other  end  of  the  street 
was  gone  also,  and  we  went  where  we  had.  agreed  to  meet,  out 
toward  Betiiel,  four  miles  from  Purdy,  to  search  another  rebel 
officer's  house.  On  the  way  we  saw  a  horeseman,  mounted  on  a 
mule,  who  dismounted  on  seeing  us  and  endeavored  to  esca])e 
by  taking  to  the  woods.  We  outran  him,  however,  and  had  a 
good  hiugli  at  our  own  and  his  expense,  for  he  proved  to  be  a 
good  ieUow  and  a  neighbor  of  Hurst's,  at  Purdy.     He  gaye  us 


HUMEKOUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  51 

some  good  intelligence,  and  pointed  out  a  place  where,  by  re- 
maining a  few  minutes,  we  captured  a  covered  wagon  contain- 
ing two  men,  one  of  whom,  Boyle,  a  rebel  bridge  burner,  wo 
made  a  prisoner. 

Shortly  after  this  we  started  back  to  our  camp,  now  forty 
miles  distant,  by  another  route,  for  the  purpose  of  collecting 
any  information  that  might  be  of  value  to  our  forces,  and,  at 
the  same  time,  capture  Colonel  Massingill  and  others,  who  were 
then  said  to  be  at  home,  and  were  supposed  to  have  a  few  men 
with  tiiem,  all  of  whom  we  could  take  as  prisoners  as  soon  as 
we  arrived.  A  few  miles  brought  us  near  Massingill's  liouse, 
which  stood  on  top  of  a  hill.  At  th(3  foot  of  this, in  obedience 
to  Hurst's  "Column,  gallop  !  March  !  "  v/e  dashed  forward  and, 
in  a  very  few  minutes,  ten  of  us  entered  the  Jjouse.  While  I, 
assisted  by  one  of  the  men,  was  searching  the  rooms,  upstairs 
and  down,  I  heard  the  report  of  a  pistol  outride.  I  immediately 
left  searching,  and  heard  the  crying  of  Massingill's  wife  and 
children  as  I  went  out  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  the  shooting. 
When  T  got  beyond  the  door,  I  saw  a  negro  woman,  who  told 
me  that  she  had  informed  my  men  that  her  master  was  hid  in 
a  corn  crib,  and  that  he  had  been  shot  because  he  would  not 
come  out  when  ordered  to  do  so.  I  proceeded  to  the  corn  cri!>, 
wliere  I  found  Massingill,  who  was  shot  near  and  below  the 
elbow.  The  shot  had  been  fired  by  order  of  JMnjor  Hurst. 
It  was  hard  to  do,  yet  it  could  not  be  avoided,  for  the  colonel 
should  have  come  out  when  twice  ordered  to  do  so.  Taking 
one  of  his  horses  out  of  the  stable,  and  fixing  up  his  arm  as 
M^ell  as  possible,  we  mounted  him  and  brought  him  along  as  a 
prisoner. 

Shortly  after  tlsis,  we  entered  another  rebel  domicile,  and 
there  found  Hatcher,  a  rebel  soldier,  wdiom  we  also  took  with 
us  to  camp. 

It  now  began  to  rain  heavily,  and  we  returned  to  camp,  giving 
up  our  arms  and  prisoners  to  the  colonel  near  Adamsville.  He 
thanked  us  very  much  for  our  services,  and  took  our  names  in 
order  to  do  us  some  farther  service  as  soon  as  he  possibly 
could.  He  seemed  a  very  good  man,  and  a  true  soldier;  and 
it  is  our  wish  that  he  may  some  day  bo  promoted  to  a  general. 


52  nuMEKors  adyentdkes  of  a  volunteer. 

April  25. — The  sutlers  here  are  now  doing  a  heavj'  l3usiness  ; 
they  have  opened  a  large  amount  of  eatables,  and  some  of  them 
drinking  matter  of  rather  a  strong  description.  There  is  one  ol 
them  near  tlie  river,  belonging  to  the  5Sth  Ohio,  who  sells  by 
the  drink  out  of  open  barrels,  and  makes  a  great  deal  of  money 
by  it.  Whether  or  not  this  permission  is  granted  him  is  hard 
to  say;  but  one  thing  is  certain — he  ought  not  to  be  allowed  to 
do  so  by  the  military  authorities.  If  any  such  permission  is 
granted  so  close  to  soldiers'  camps,  then  ought  every  soldier 
desiring  it  receive  a  furlough  immediately. 

One  of  the  sergeants  in  this  regiment  has  had  his  wife  with 
liim  from  the  time  he  Icit  home.  She  is  a  washer-woman  in 
the  camp,  and  makes  considerable  money  through  her  employ- 
ment. She  has  a  hard  bunk,  however,  being  compelled  to  sleep 
in  her  husband's  tent,  and  cook  his  meals  there  continually. 
Ed.  B.,  one  of  our  boys,  discovered  her  presence,  and  became 
so  much  in  love  with  lier,  because  of  her  great  beauty,  that  he 
brought  her  some  washing,  and  soon  after  tendered  her  in  pay- 
ment a  one  dollar  bill  on  the  State  Bank  of  Indiana;  this  she, 
being  a  German  and  stranger  to  that  State,;did  not  know,  and 
asked  for  other  money.  Ed.  Stated  that  it  was  perfectly  good 
and  that  it  was,  at  present,  all  the  kind  he  had.  Upon  this  as- 
sertion she  became  angry,  and,  calling  her  husband,  desired 
the  immediate  whipping  of  so  impudent  a  fellow;  wliich  the 
husband  would  have  done,  if  he  could,  had  not  one  of  Ed.'s 
friends,  who  came  along,  having  the  change,  lent  him  a  sum 
suflicient  to  pay  the  lady's  charge.  The  friend  then  marched 
his  coi-poral  off  with  him  to  camp,  inforniing  him,  on  the  way, 
of  the  marriage  of  his  Dulcina  del  Washtub  to  the  sergeant 
who  was  going  to  strike  him.  As  soon  as  Ed.  was  put  in  pos- 
session of  tliis  necessary  but  unwelcome  intelligence,  his  gal- 
lantry on  the  occasion  was  gone,  and  ever  after  he  talked  of 
her  without  any  admiration  whatever. 

Tiiere  arc  a  great  many  steamers  here  just  now,  loaded  with 
provisions  and  forage.  The  hands,  except  the  officers,  on  these 
steamers  care  very  little  for  soldiers,  although  they  buy  from 
and  sell  to  them  on  all  occasions.  They  have  many  rebel  ar- 
ticles, such  as  arms   and  clulhing,  which  they  probably  have 


nCMEROUS    ADVENTURES    OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  53 

use  for  at  home  ;  if  not,  these  things  should  be,  in  many  cases, 
returned  or  delivered  to  the  government. 

AVe  have  moved  dut  some  four  or  fire  miles  from  the  landing; 
and,  having  pitched  our  tents,  we  are  told  to  remain  till  further 
orders. 

April  19. — Storm  and  rain  deters  our  cavalrymen  from  scout- 
ing out  very  far,  or  advancing  toward  the  rebel  stronghold  at 
Corinth,  Mississippi. 

April  23. — The  weatlier  has  become  a  great  deal  better,  and 
the  sun  sliines  out  beautifully,  making  glad  the  face  of  nature. 
To-day  wc  all  make  more  proper  appearances  publicly,  than 
we  were  at  all  able  to  do  during^^the  recent  stormy  and  tent 
filling  weather. 

Lomax,  a  stout  Tcnnesseeau,  has  joined  us.  He  is  much  ac- 
quainted around  this  neighborhood,  and  is  desirous  of  showing 
ns  some  fine  positions  and  roads,  that  may  hereafter  do  us  good 
service. 

This  morning  our  battalion  was  transferred  to  another  com- 
mand, which  was  caused  by  our  want  of  proper  weapons.  My 
letter  to  the  Times  explains  the  whole  matter.  It  reads  as  fol- 
.lows: 

Messrs  Editors:  Owing  to  a  deficiency  of  arms,  we,  to  our 
lasting  regret,  are  detached  from  the  division  of  General  Lew. 
Wallace,  and  are  })laced  in  his  rear,  with  Geneial  Davis,  of  the 
second  division.  This,  we  trust,  is  but  a  temporary  arrange- 
ment, and  is  the  first  step  toward  fnrnishitig  us  with  proper 
arms,  and  rendering  our  elBciency  more  complete.  What  leads 
me  to  this  belief  is  the  fact,  that  on  last  evening  we  complied 
with  an  order  Irom  the  commanding-  general  to  return  to  the 
-proper  quarter  all  our  worthless  firearms,  which  includes  every 
pistol  in  our  pt^ssession.  It  is  said  vre  will  receive  Colt's  re- 
volver's, which,  I  trust,  is  true,  as  they  are  the  best  weapon  of 
the  kind  for  army  use,  being  the  least  liable  of  any  to  get  out 
of  order. 

AV^e  are  encamped  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  landing,  close 
to  the  ground  the  rebels  lay  on,  under  arms,  the  night  of  Sun- 
day, the  memorable  6th  of  April  last.  The  Slst  Ohio  is  within 
a  hundred  yards  of  us,  and  the  graves  of  Captain  Armstrong 


54  nuMEKors  adventuezs  of  a  volunteer. 

and  Lieutenant  Post,  of  tliat  regiment,  are  within  tliirty  feet  of 
my  tent.  The  bodies  repose  on  top  of  one  of  the  slight  emi- 
Ecnces  around  us,  on  a  spot  marked  out  to  his  men,  on  the 
inorning  of  the  battle,  by  Captain  Armstrong,  who  told  them 
that,  in  case  he  fell,  he  desired  them  to  lay  him  there,  with  no 
more  ceremony  than  that  with  which  tlie  commonest  privates 
are  interred.  Noble,  gallant  soldier!  how  few  you  left  behind 
you  are  lit  to  compare  with  you  in  all  the  excellent  qualities 
which  go  to  make  up  the  man  of  honor.  Alas,  that  all  our  of- 
ficers are  not  as  you  were. 

We  have  received  intelligence  that  the  enemy  are  about 
evacuating  Corinth,  and  are  falling  back  on  Jackson,  Missis- 
sippi— and  "if  so  why  so?''  We  are  not  following  them  as 
closely  as  a  hound  would  a  hare. 

We  have  endured  a  four  days'  almost  continual  rain,  and  are 
nearly  drowned  out.  The  God  of  battle,  intending  to  wash  out 
the  stain  of  human  blood  from  the  bosom  of  the  earth,  has  sent 
this  upon  us  for  our  sins;  and  so  taking  it,  we  "  weathered  the 
pelting  of  the  pitiless  storm  "  like  Franzans  :  "  Shine  out,  bright 
sun,"  etc. 

Captain  Armstrong's  father  and  brotlier  have  just  arrived 
and  are  now  engaged  in  raising  the  body  of  the  late  commander 
of  company  B,  8lst  Ohio,  in  order  to  take  it  home.  They  seem 
much  afl'ected'at  their  loss;  yet,  while  they  shed  manly  tears, 
find  words  to  encourage  the  soldiers  around  them  to  the  per- 
formance of  their  duties  as  men  and  as  patriots.  Brave  hearts  ! 
They  are  truly  of  the  blood  of  the  hero  lying  stark  and  stiff 
before  them. 

We,  the  third  battalion,  expect  to  rejoin  our  other  two  bat- 
talions after  receiving  our  new  arms,  which  will  be  very  grati- 
fying to  the  whole  regiment,  as,  in  that  case,  we  will  be  under 
the  eye  of  Colonel  Taylor,  and  be  battling  in  the  van  once 
more.  Major  Hayes  is  well  liked  by  his  men,  and  sees  to  their 
comfort  as  much  as  possilde.  lie  is  veiy  anxious  to  be  again 
on  duty,  and  leading  his  men  against  the  foe.  There  is  no  dis- 
count on  Major  Hayes.  The  boys  are  all  well  again,  or,  as 
Pat  Dignan  says,  "They  could  ait  a  cart  horse  and  pull  his 
load."  They  join  me  in  sending  their  best  respects  to  the  Times. 


ETJMEKOUS    ADYENTUKES    OF  A  VOLUNTEEE.  55 

April  28, — This  day  has  been  somewhat  nnfortunato  to  our 
company,  as  George  Wansborougli  Jias  jnst  died,  and  was 
^lioirly  airer  l>nried.  lie  was  a  most  excellent  young  man,  one 
who  was  well  liked  by  all  who  knew  him.  His  brother  Arthur 
still  remains  with  us. 

Lew.  Wallace's  division  advanced  to-day  to  Pea  Kidge.  There 
is  very  heavy  firing  this  evening  in  that  direction.  Our  regi- 
ment, and  the  4th  and  lltli  Illinois  cavalry,  is  with  his  infantry 
and  artillery.  His  advance  is  toward  Purdy,  near  which  we 
have  burned  three  railroad  bridges  and  captured  and  destroyed 
a  locomotive,  taking  its  engineer  and  four  other  persons  on  it 
prisoners.  We  have  also  driven  the  secesh  cavalry  and  infantry, 
posted  near  Purdy,  into  the  woods  near  by,  killing  eight  and 
taking  some  thirty  prisoners. 

A  correspondent  of  the  Cincinnati  Commercial  w^ent  with 

our  regiment  to   know  all  about  its  transactions,  and  publish 

them,  and  his  letter  in  regard  to  the   matter,  being  better  and 

fuller  than  I  could  write  it,  may  describe  what  was  accomplished 

in  this  expedition  : 

"Camp  Shiloh,  Fivk  Milks  from  PiTTSBfRG  Landing,^ 
Weoiiesdav,  April  3Uth,  18(52.  \ 

"They  pretty  greatly  err  who  calculate  the  amount  of  good 

accomplished  and  the  amount  of  suffering  and  privation  under- 
gone by  the  soldier  in  the  present  war,  from  the  number  of 
great  battles  in  which  he  has  been  engaged,  or  the  number  of 
severe  contests,  hand  to  hand  through  which  he  has  passed; 
and  in  civil  life  the  remark  is  too  frecjuently  made,  that  such  a 
regiment  or  such  a  company  has  done  no  service,  because  its 
name  occupies  no  place  in  the  long  list  of  those  who  faced  the 
rebel  fire  at  a  Donelson  or  Shiloh.  People  are  slow  to  believe 
that  in  war  especially,  great  results  are  often  traceable  to  ap- 
parently trivial  sources.  The  destruction  of  a  railroad  bridge 
lias  been  in  many  cases  more  detrimental  to  the  "southern" 
cause,  than  the  loss  of  a  thousand  men  on  the  battle  field;  yet 
the  former  would  n<;t  justify,  according  to  the  views  of  ordinaiy 
newspaper  readers,  one  tenth  of  the  head  lines  and  exclama- 
tions necessary  to  give  the  latter  its  due  piominence  in  the 
columns  of  the  daily  papers.  So  mucli  by  way  of  intruduC' 
tiou. 


56  HUMEEOUS    ADVENTUEE8    OF  A    VOLUNTEEK. 

"On  Sunday  morning,  28th,  General  Grant  ordered  General 
"Wallace  to  make  a  demonstration  in  ihe  direction  of  Turdy,  a 
town  of  about  about  eiolit  hundred  inh.abitants,  twenty-.two 
miles  distant  from  our  camp;  deriving  a  small  degree  of  im- 
portance frrom  its  location  on  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  railroad. 
It  is  about  twenty  miles  from  Corinth  on  a  direct  railroad  line. 
It  was  not  known,  when  thl;  expedition  started,  what  force  the 
rebels  had  at  that  point;  but  it  was  supposed  they  had  a  pretty 
strong  garrison  there,  and  were  prepared  to  repel  such  a  cavalry 
"dash"  as  is  ordinarl)'-  made  for  the  destruction  of  railroad 
bridges.  Accordingly  it  was  determined  to  send  a  large  force, 
a!id  to  make  the  attack  partake  of  the  nature  of  a  surprise. 
Seven  regiments  of  infantiy  from  General  Wallace's  division, 
including  tlie  7Sth  and  SOtli  Ohio,  two  batteries  of  artilier}^, 
and  the  -llh  and  11th  Illinois  and  5th  Ohio  cavalry  were  ordered 
to  be  in  readiness  by  noon,  with  three  daj^'s  cooked  rations. 
The  pre]:)erations  in  the  camp  in  which  I  chanced  to  be  at  the 
time  the  order  Avas  received,  (the  destination  was  of  course  not 
stated,)  were  of  such  an  extensive  scale  that  I  thought  the  lon^ 
expected  meve  against  Corinth  was  about  to  be  made,  and 
without  further  deliberation  resolved  to  proceed  with  Colonel 
Tay lot's  regiment. 

We  started  at  2  o'clock  P.  M.;  Wallace  with  the  artillery  and 
infantry  in  advance.  Our  road  lay  through  the  woods,  swamps, 
and  ravines,  over  "corduroy"  bridges  and  swollen  creeks,  and 
through  mud  and  water  of  every  variety  of  depth  and  thickness. 
The  weatlier,  wlien  we  left  camp,  Avas  very  line,  though  very 
warm  ;  the  sun,  pouring  his  rays  down  on  us  with  tropical  vigor, 
made  it  uncomfortable  to  ride  and  latigueing  to  march  ;~  and 
we  luad  proceeded  but  a  few  miles  when  the  effect  became 
visible  in  the  many  returning  stragglers  from  the  infantry  regi- 
ments wiio  lazily  dragged  their  muskets  and  themselves  in  a 
homeward  direction. 

y-  "We  passed  a  number  of  very  respectable  residences,  the 
iirst  of  the  kind  seen  by  this  army  since  its  occupation  of  Titts- 
bnrg.  They  are  all  owned  by  woalthy  men,  every  one  of  whom, 
we  learnetl,  are  more  or  less  identilied  with  the  rebel  cause  ; 
sumo  are  in  the  Goufodcrate  army;  others  contributed  of  theiv 


HUMEEOU3  ADVENTCEE8  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  57 

means  to  its  support.  A  couple  of  officers  stopped  at  one  of 
the  houses  to  ask  for  a  drink  of  water.  The  inmates,  an  eldej-ly 
woman,  two  handsome  daughters,  and  a  few  young- contrabands, 
appeared  very  much  excited  at  the  approach  of  the  Federal 
warriors.  Before  the  officers  had  time  to  state  the  peaceful  ob- 
ject of  their  visit  to  the  domicile,  the  elder  lady  eagerly  ex- 
claimed : 

"He  did  n't  mean  to  go,  but  they  told  him  he  must,  or  he  'd 
be  took  prisoner." 

"We  would  like  to  get  a  drink  of  water,  if  you  please," said 
Captain  H .     "  We  are  very  thirsty." 

"Oh,  yes  ;  certainly,"  replied  the  agreeably  astonished  mat- 
ron. "  I  thought  as  how  ye  had  come  after  my  son,  because  he 
was  in  the  southern  army." 

A  conversation  followed  which  resulted  in  the  revelation  that 
a  son  of  the  hostess  had  been  drafted  for  Beauregard's  army  ; 
that  he  had  fought  at  Pittsburg  landing  and  was  dangerously 
wounded  in  the  lirst  dciy's  battle,  lie  was  conveyed  to  Corinth. 
His  mother  became  apprised  of  his  condition,  and  immediately 
sought  the  Confederate  militaiy  authorities,  of  whom  slie  ob- 
tained a  sick  furlough  for  hiin.  He  is  nov^  under  the  maternal 
roof  but  can  not  survive  his  injuries. 

At  about  C  o'clock  we  halted  in  the  woods,  midway  between 
Pittsburg  and  Purdy.  After  an  hour's  delay  General  Wallace 
ordered  the  infantry  and  artillery  to  bivouac  for  the  niglit,  and 
the  cavalry  to  proceed  to  Purdy.  The  general  himself  made 
his  headquarters  for  the  night  at  a  neat  frame  house  in  the 
neighboiliood.  The  woods  were  soon  illuminated  with  the 
great  fires  the  soldiers  built,  and  around  which  they  gathered 
to  pass  away  the  night.  Strong  picket  guards  were  pctsted  in 
every  direction,  so  that  the  improvised  Federal  city  in  the  wil- 
derness of  Tennessee  felt  secure  from  a  rebel  surprise. 

"The  cavalry,  nuriiberiug  in  all  about  two  thousand,  continued 
its  road  to  Purdy.  Colonel  Dickey,/d"  the  4th  Illinois,  was  in 
command.  AVe  had  enjoyed  a  few  hours  of  pleasant  riding 
since  5  o'clock,  but  now  our  prospects  changed,  but  not  for  the 
better.  As  evening  changed  into  night,  the  sky  became  thickly 
clouded,  and,  in  less  than  an  hour  after  our  second  start,  tho 


58         HUMEKOUS  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUKTEEE. 

rain  brgr.n  to. fall  in  torrents.  The  road  grew, worse  and  worse, 
as  we  advanced,  and  the  night  darker  every  hour.  We  pro- 
ceeded, however,  making  our  way  by  the  dim  outlines  of  the 
forest  on  either  side  of  us.  •  AVe  had  a  guide,  but  he  was  a  poor 
one,  and  had  less  confidence  in  himself  than  we  had  in  him. 
The  rain  continnod  ;  at  times  it  was  fiirioue.  A  great  many  of 
the  men  Avere  unprovided  with  overcoats  or  water-proof  blank- 
ets, but  the  word  was,  '  Forward  to  Purdy.' 

"What  was  hitherto  darkness  became  impenetrable  black- 
ness until  we  could  not  discern  an  object  three  feet  ahead  of 
us.  Consider  two  thousand  men  now  galloping  along  a  narrow 
road,  now  wading  through  a  black  swamp,  and  once  or  twice 
almost  swimming  a  swiftly  running  creek,  and  all  this  in-  the 
darkest  nj,ght  that  any  of  the  tw^o  thousand  men  ever  saw. 
The  'clashing  of  arms'  was  for  once  a  welcome  noise,  and  it 
formed  the  only  guide  by  which  we  were  enabled  to  keep  to- 
gether. 

"At  about  12  o\dock  we  came  to  a  halt  about  two  miles  from 
Purdy,  Colonel  Dickey  fearing,  and  very  properly,  that  the 
whole  party  would  get  lost  before  morning.  As  it  was,  a  num- 
ber of  the  men  abandoned  tlie  hope  of  being  able  to  keep  up 
with  us,  and  had  remained  along  the  road  beliind  us.  A  whole 
company  at  one  time  declared  their  inability  to  proceed  ;  and 
still  it  rained  harder  tiian  ever. 

"After  standing  still  an  hour,  under  the  'pelting  of  the  pitiless 
storm,'  'About  face'  was  ordeied,  and  we  started  for  the  point 
where  we  loft  the  infantry,  arriving  tlicre  just  at  dayh'ght.  Here 
the  men  were  ordered  to  dismount  and  feed  their  horses.  Tlie 
effect  of  the  night's  'tram]-)'  Avns  visible  in  eveiy  countenance. 
]V[any  of  onr  stoutest  and  hardiest  men  gave  out  altogether, arjd 
were  conij)elh'd  to  return  to  camp.  Some  of  them  laid  down 
on  the  roadside,  glad  to  seize  this  opporlnnit}'  of  nn  hour's 
'rest,'  even  though  the  rain  beat  heavilv  on  their  closed  eye- 
lids. 

"At  5  o'clock  .the  order  was  given  for  the  cavalry  to  return — 
not  to  camp,  but  to  Purdy.  Many  of  us  received  the  order 
with  dissatisfaction,  and  some  obej'ed  it  with  reluctance.  Col- 
onel Taylor,  of  the   5th  0.  V.  C,  was   taken  seriously  ill,  (he 


nUMEROUS  ADYENTCKE3  OF  A  VOLUNTEEB.  51) 

was  quite  unwell  wlien  we  left  camp,)  and  could  not  command 
his  regiment.  The  lieutenant  colonel,  also,  was  compelled  from 
sickness  to  abandon  his  intention  of  returning ;  so  the  command 
devolved  upon  the  senior  major,  E.  G.  Eicker,  an  oihcer  who 
has  given  Irequent  proofs  of  his  efficiency  and  valor.  The 
entire  cavalry  force  started  back,  and  in  a  couple  of  hours  were 
in  Piu'dy.  They  were  disappointed  to  learn  that  about  one 
hundred  rebels,  who  had  garrisoned  the  place,  had  left  just  in 
time  to  save  themselves. 

"Colonel  -Dickey  sent  a  small  force  to  skirmish  two  miles  be- 
low Purdj'-,  (there  were  three  thousand  rebels  at  Bethel,  four 
miles  below,)  while  another  force  destroyed  the  railroad  bridge, 
two  mihjs  above  it.  The  work  was  soon  accomplished;  the 
bridge  was  torn  up,  and  the  connection  between  Purdy  and 
Corinth  completely  destroyed.  AVhile  the  men  were  at  work, 
a  locomotive  with  four  men — two  olhcers,  one  engineer,  and  a 
firen^an — came  from  Bethel  to  ascertain  what  was  the  matter. 
I  should  have  said  that  our  men  had  cut  their  telegraph  wires 
also;  this  caused  the  alarm  at  Bethel.  Our  skirmisheis  with- 
drew, let  the  locomotive  pass  by  to  where  the  road  was  torn 
up,  and  then  issued  forth  to  demand  a  surrender.  The  four 
men  were  taken  prisoneis,  the  locomotive  destro^'ed,  and  thus 
ended  the  expedition.  None  of  our  men  were  killed  by  the 
enemy,  but  I  fear  tliat  many  of  them  will  die  fron:  exposure  to 
the  inclement  weather,  and  the  fatigue  of  the  trip  experienced 
by  all. 

"The  cavalry  returned  to  camp  last  night,  the  infantry  and 
artillery  this  morning.  After  what  we  had  gone  through,  our 
leaky  tents  appeared  to  us  like  metropolitan  hotels.  I  will 
speak  for  myself,  and  say  I  want  no  more  expeditions  for  several 
days  to  come." 

The  above  letter  is  from  "  Mack,"  and  a  very  good  one  it  is, 
indeed.  May  he  never  make  one  of  a  party  in  such  leakiness 
hereafter. 

April  20.— There  is  heavy  firing  heard  to-day  in  the  direction 
of  Corinth,  toward  which  place  several  of  our  regiments  have 
gone.  A  large  number  of  our  men  have  permanentl}'^  moved 
in  that  direction  to  day.     Sixty  or  eighty  rebel  prisoners  have 


60         nUMEROUS  ADVEKTUEES  OF  A  VOLUNTSEE. 

been  cfiptnrcd  and  bronglit  in  here.  One  of  tlienv  is  a  serious 
minded  soutlierner,  and  has  attempted  to  cut  one  of  Ids  guardsi, 
an  officer,  who  sat  near  him  at  dinner,  on  a  steamer  which  has 
several  secessionists,  as  prisoners,  on  board.  This  kind  of  work 
will  do  him  as  little  good  here  as  all  his  fighting  did  in  better 
and  easier  points. 

Aj'Til  30. — Our  battalion  is  ordered  out  again  to-day  under 
General  Davis.  Our  supposed  destination  is  near  Corinth.  We 
have  just  received  news  of  the  capture  of  Yoi'ktown,  A^irginia., 
and  our  boys  feel  very  joyous  over  such  good  intelligence. 
Many  of  us  are  seeking  newsjiapers,  but  they  seem  so  scarce 
at  present  tliat  it  is  an  extremely  difficult  matter  to  obtaiti  the 
sight  of  one. 

Our  worthless  pistols  are  returned  to  us.  Colt's  revolvers  not 
to  be  had.  This  we  dislike;  as  the  pistols  we  left  Camp  Den^ 
nison  with  are  nearly  all  worthless.  Our  gallant  officer,  Major 
Scherer,  who  has  taught  all  of  us  sabre  exercise,  and  is  loved 
by  all  of  us,  is  here. 

May  1. — We  have  advanced  six  miles  on  the  Corinth  road, 
and  encamped  for  the  night. 

May  2. — We  were  to-day  attached  to  the  second  division, 
under  General  Davis.  About  2  o'clock  P.  M.  we  arrived  at 
Monterey,  some  ten  miles  from  Shiloh  church,  meeting  many 
sick  soldiers  on  the  route,  who  generally  complain  of  our  want 
of  a  sufficient  number  of  surgeons  and  hospitals.  Some  of 
them  seem  c]uite  uncared  for,  and  suffer  very  much  under  the 
circumstauces. 

General  Ilalleck  has  arrived.  He  is  well  thought  of  here. 
lie  is  a  proper  commander-in-chief,  and  his  orders  M'ill  be 
obej'-ed  with  joyous  alacrity  always.  May  his  sh^idow  never  be 
less. 

31ai/  4. — To-day  I  have  been  attending  to  the  discharge  of 
our  sick  men,  four  in  number.  There  seems  great  trouble  in 
obtaining  their  ceitilicates.  The  doctor  here  seems  to  love 
brandy  too  well  to  examine  them  promptly  ;  therefore,  they 
will  be  compelled  to  remain  here  a  while  longer. 

Captain  John  Crawford,  our  old  eommander,  has  just  arrived 
by  steamer  from  Cincinnati,  determined  to  serve  his  country 


nUMEROUS  ADVEKTCKES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  Gl 

99  a  Tolnntecr  and  sharp  sliooter  as  long  as  possible.  He  met 
with  a  great  reception  ironi  his  oM  friends,  to  whom  lie  brought 
many  necessary  articles.  Ilis  kind  and  gentlemanly  qualities 
have  always  been  noticeable,  and  will  forever  be  respected. 
He  left  his  six  shooter  gun  and  all  his  clothing  on  the  steamer, 
and,  on  his  order,  I  procured  them  all  from  the  mate,  and  de- 
livered them  all  to  the  captain.  The  mate  seemed  to  know  that 
Captain  Crawford  was  a  soldier  all  through  the  Mexican  wai-, 
and  would  not  receive  any  payment  from  me  for  keeping  these 
things  safely. 

The  roads  are  horrid  as  we  move  along,  there  having  been 
a  rain  storm  for  two  days  past.  There  is  great  destruction  of 
government  property  all  along  the  route,  such  as  wagons,  har- 
ness, mules,  and  horses.  Horrid  smells  from  half- buried  ani- 
mals constantly  greet  our  olfactories.  Futrifying  bodies  of 
horses  still  remain  above  ground,  causing  many  cases  of  sick- 
ness. 

We  still  remain  unarmed,  except  with  sabres.  The  enemy 
are  reported  to  have  formed  in  double  line  of  battle  three  miles 
this  si<le  of  Corinth.  The  rebels  are  supposed  to  number  very 
nearly  one  hundred  thousand  in  that  vicinity. 

All  our  wagon  trains  are  mov'ing  forward  now  without  any 
gpards,  as  there  can  be  little  or  no  danger  in  this  neigborhood. 
We  move  along  slowly  but  securely,  the  mud  being  the  greatest 
obstacle  to  our  progress.  The  rebel  force  is  no  longer  scattered 
about  this  neigl)orhood  as  it  used  to  be,  but  has  concentrated 
in  and  around  Corinth. 

May  h. — General' Davis  has  ordered  our  major  to  send  an 
account  of  our  arms  and  amunition  to  him  immediately,  as  we 
are  to  move  on  very  soon.  The  major  reports  fifteen  rounds  of 
cartridges  for  each  sabre,  we  not  having  firearms  to  shoot  cart- 
ridges from.     Bully  for  the  sabres. 

Yesterday,  Pope's  division,  moving  on  the  left  from  Ham- 
burg toward  Corinth,  through  a  swampy  road  and  over  high 
hills,  came  towards  Farmington,  a  small  place,  highly  situated 
beyond  an  almost  impassible  ravine.  Generals  Faine  and 
Falmer  did  the  greatest  part  of  the  work  here  about  10  o'clock 
A.  M.      They  commanded  the  10th,  IGth,  22d,  27th,  42d,  and 


63         nUMEROUS  ABVENTUKES  07  A  VOLUNTEER. 

51st  Illinois  ;  the  10th  and  lOth  Michio-an,  with  Yates's  sharp- 
shooters ;  Iloughtailing's  Illinois,  and  Hazcock's  Ohio  batteries, 
with  the  2d  Michigan  cavalry.  They,  after  proceeding  four  or 
five  miles,  encountered  the  enemy's  pickets,  whom  they  soon 
drove  off  from  behind  trees  and  in  thickets.  All  the  bridges 
which  had  been  destroyed  were  rebuilt  by  Colonel  Bissell'a 
sappers  and  minors. 

At  3  o'clock  P.  M.  the  fight  commenced  in  earnest,  the  enemy 
commanding  the  road  ;  and  we  would  not  have  gained  the  hill 
side  where  the  rebels  had  placed  four  pieces  of  cannon  and 
were  now  firing  them  at  us,  but  the  10th  Illinois,  under  Colonel 
Morgan,  and  Yates's  sharpsliooters  detoured  to  the  right  and 
left,  and  poured  such  fires  of  musketry  upon  the  enemy  as  sent 
their  gunners  in  great  confusion  over  the  hill  top  to  their  second 
position,  where  they  formed  their  second  line  of  battle.  This 
was  to  the  right  of  the  Farmington  road,  and  near  a  thickly 
wooded  country,  and  was  close  to  an  old  cotton  gin  where  a 
strong  artillery  duel  took  place,  and  great  chivalry  was  shown 
on  both  sides,  until  some  of  our  infantry,  gaining  their  left  flank, 
sent  such  a  terrible  fire  at  them,  that  they  ran  into  the  woods 
as  though  his  Satanic  majesty  were  after  them.  They  fled  in 
the  direction  of  Corinth,  pursued  by  our  cavalry,  Avliile  the  in- 
fantry entered  the  three-housed  and  noble  southern  city  of 
Farmington.  Near  here  we  began  intrenching  along  our  whole 
front,  as  all  our  positions  Avere  lound  tenable;  and  it  was  done 
very  c|uickly,  especially  by  Pope's  men,  who  can  throw  up  and 
manage  the  soil  as  well  as  they  can  fight.  These  works  are 
made  strongly  and  soon  settle,  and  arc  all  constructed  with  em- 
brassures  for  field  pieces.  The  telegraph  to  the  commander's 
tent  is  also  in  operation,  and  we  have  complete  possession  of 
all  our  positions. 

'JIai/  1-. — The  weather  continues  warm  and  drj'-,  and  favors 
our  advance  which  we  have  accomplished  today,  having  moved 
four  miles  on  our  left  flank.  Captain  Crawford  is  out  in  front 
skirmisliing,  whiclj  he  has  so  often  bravely  done,  that  to-day 
General  Sherman  offered  him  a  position  on  his  staff;  but  our 
captain  rcsjiectfully  declined  it,  because  ho  docs  not  want  to 
leave  us,  even  as  aid  to  so  great  a  general. 


HUMEROCS  ADVENTUKES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  63 

^  May  IT). — AVe  have  advanced  again,  after  much  skirmishing 
with  the  enemy's  pickets. 

Our  battalion  quartermaster  has  left  the  service  because  he 
held  no  position  as  an  officer.  Captain  Crawford  has  received 
orders  from  our  major  to  leave  camp,  on  account  of  jealousy 
between  some  of  the  officers.  This  the  men  will  not  stand,  if 
they  can  avoid  it,  and  we  have  written  a  petition  to  Major  Gen- 
eral Hallcek  stating  all  he  has  done  for  us,  that  he  recruited 
the  company,  wliy  he  cam.e  out  here,  and  that  he  is  doing  great 
service  since  his  arrival.  Our  old,  gentlemanly',  soldierly  cap- 
tain has  returned,  having  received  papers  of  coui])linicnt,  and 
made  captain  of  scouting  ])arties  by  General  Ilalleck ;  and 
ordered  to  report  himself  to  General  Davis,  and  remain  where 
he  is  as  long  as  he  thinks  proper.  lie  is  now  doing  strong 
duty  from  7  o'clock  A..  M.  to  G  P.  M.  He  is  doing  splendid 
service  every  day,  and  as  we  are  now  but  seventeen  hundred 
yards  from  the  enemy's  outer  works,  and  have  sharp  skirmish- 
ing, the  attempts  to  shoot  him  are  numerous,  and  liis  heroism 
has  become  well  known  all  along  the  front.  To-day  a  red- 
shirted  rebel,  armed  with  a  sort  of  a  mule  cannon,  which  dis- 
charges shots  of  about  one  pound  weight,  is  firing  from  a  top 
fence  rail  near  a  rebel  house  on  an  eminence  where  are  somo 
two  companies  of  secessionists,  who  occasionally  dodge  to  the 
corners  in  order  tcf  tire  with  security  at  our  pickets  and  scouts. 
This  house  affording  shelter  to  the  enemy,  and  therefore  deter- 
ing  our  men  from  an  advance,  is  an  eyesore  to  us.  The  several 
attempts  which  Captain  Crawford  has  made  to  take  it,  has  given 
him  an  introduction  to  Redshirt,  who,  for  the  purj^ose  of  rec- 
ognizing the  acquaintance,  proving  his  social  qualities,  and  at 
the  same  time  testifying  his  respect  for  the  captain,  gives  him 
an  occasional  salute  with  his  one  pounder.  This  the  haughty 
captain  refuses  to  acknowledge  by  so  much  as  a  bow.  To  the 
first  salute  he  responded  by  touching  his  hat,  and  now  he  has 
commenced  to  return  salute  for  salute.  The  third  resi)onse  of 
the  gallant  captain  seems  to  have  mightily  pleased  Redshirt. 
He  throws  out  his  hands,  springs  into  the  air,  drops  to  the  earth, 
rolls  and  tumbles  on  the  ground  like  a  circus  performer,  and 
finally  stretches  himself  out  stiff,  cold,  dead,  possibly  from  pure 


64         HUMEE0U8  ADVENTUKES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEE. 

excess  of  joy.  Kow  follows  a  clash  from  onr  lines  and  our 
skirmishers  have  captured  both  the  position  and  the  mule  can- 
non. 

On  the  trees  were  manj^  Indians  bclono-ing  to  Price's  troops, 
who,  safely  planted  on  limbs,  had  fired  at  us.  Several  of  these 
we  killed,  tlie  balance,  like  their  rebel  friends,  beat  a  hasty  re- 
treat as  we  advanced. 

A  dashing  aide  de  camp  endeavored  to  send  two  of  us  across 
a  creek  we  came  to  this  afternoon,  but  failing  to  do  so,  in  he 
went  himself;  but  was  washed  off  immediately,  as  it  was  some- 
what deeper  and  swifter  than  he  imagined.  lie  only  saved 
himself  by  clinging  to  his  horse's  tail  and  getting  across  to  the 
other  bank. 

Mot/ 10. — The  weather  here  is  changeable.  It  rained  all 
last  night.  We  were  all  in  line  of  liattle,  except  some  builders 
of  breastworks  who  are  engaged  in  the  advance.  Tlie  rebels 
advanced  here  to-day  with  heavy  firing  ;  but  were  shelled  out 
quickly.  Our  musketry  has  felled  at  least  a  dozen  of  them, 
whose  bodies  are  on  the  ground  in  what  is  now  our  rear.  Two 
of  our  cavalry  boys  were  shot,  one  of  whom  was  killed  almost 
instantly. 

Our  men  were  sixty  hours  on  the  last  picket  duty.  There 
was  a  hot  spot,  near  the  enemy,  to  which  our  battalion  was  led 
without  any  orders  except  those  of  the  majo'r.  Here  Sergeant 
Alexander  Howe,  of  company  E,  was  shot  through  the  upper 
part  of  the  arm,  the  same  bullet  passing  through  the  body  of 
an  infantry  soldier,  killing  him  instantly.  Sergeant  Brawley, 
also  of  E  company,  was  killed  at  the  same  time.  Is  it  possible, 
as  is  said,  that  some  officers  would  gladly  tramp  over  the  bodies 
of  their  own  men  in  order  to  secure  rank?  If  such  is  the  case 
it  surely  "smells  rank  to  Heaven." 

3Iai/  I'l. — ^To-day  our  picket  lines  have  been  advanced  five 
hundred  yar.ls,  and  our  breastworks  extend  along  the  entire 
ii'ont  in  parallels.  Everything  around  us  indicates  a  good  con- 
dition, and  if  we  do  not  push  seeossionism  to  the  wall  in  the 
coming  battle,  it  will  be  no  fault  uf  General  Ilalleck's.  To-day 
we  are  raising  observations  by  rigging  mast  fashion  a  large 
tree  that  stands  about  twenty-five  feet  inside  our  intreuchments  ; 


HDMEROUS  ADVENTORES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  G5 

and  the  -workmen  assert  that  from  the  top  they  can  sec  already 
a  steeple  in  Corinth.  When  they  have  added  the  step  to  the 
tree  trunk  already  cradled,  they  will  have  the  point  of  observ- 
ation at  an  altitude  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  or  one  hundred 
and  thirty  feet,  and  can  command  a  perfect  view  of  the  sur- 
rounding country.  I  wonder  if  it  can  be  here  a  mere  step  to 
the  top  of  a  steeple ;  or,  only  a  step  from  the  cradle  to  the  pul- 

p"-  .  .  -J 

May  23. — The.  weather  is  warm  and  dry  again.  We  had 
considerable  sklrmishiug  along  our  left  and  center  last  night. 
"  Nobody  hurt."  '_ 

Pat  D.,  while  on  picket  duty  last  night,  gave  chase  to  a  sil- 
.  ver  tailed  squirrel  which  he  had  no  chance  to  capture.  -;  On  his 
return  he  told  a  story  about  "a  heifer  at  home  wid  a  hundred 
pounds  cash,  had  left  him,  like  an  ass,  because  of  a  ruction  he 
had."  Here  his  story  was  interruped  by  an  infantryman  on 
guard'near  him  exclaiming:  "Ah,  look  out  for  the  rebel  fire." 
Pat  nimbly  dodged  behind  a  tree,  and  looking  through  the  un- 
dergrowth saw  what  he  took  to  be  a  rebel  rifle  pointed  straight 
at  him  ;  but  which  proved  to  be  only  the  horn  of  an  innocent 
cow  grazing  in  the  woods. 

May  24. — There  are  all  kinds  of  rumors  in  regard  to  our  de- 
lay. Birds  are  in  song  and  drums  are  constantly  beating. 
Soldiers  just  now  are  about  the  quietest  animals  living.  One 
among  us,  however  is  not  as  quiet  as  his  comrades,  and  he,  by 
his  appearance,  words,  and  actions,  is  some  pumpkins  certainly. 
He  is  as  proud  of  himself  as  a  peacock,  and  imagines  he  is 
not  only  an  object  of  great  interest  here,  but  will  be  regarded 
by  all  his  friends,  male  and  female,  on  his  return  home,  as  the 
hero  of  H  company.  His  little  coquetries  with  himself,  and 
their  air  of  importance,  the  self  complacency  of  his  strut,  and 
his  general  good  opinion  of  himself,  publicly  expre'ssed  on  all 
occasions,  greatly  contribute  to  relieve  the  monotony  consequent 
upon  a  state  of  inaction  in  the  arm3^  "  He  who  dotli  my 
words  misplace  shall  meet  Bombastes  face  to  face."  His  stories 
of  conquest  of  the  female  race  are  enormous,  and,  if  true,  give 
him  a  place  far  beyond  the  gallants  of  France  or  England,  in 
the  times  of  the  Grand  Monarch  of  one,  or  the  Merry  Monarch 
5 


06  HUMEEOUS  ADVENTUKE8  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

of  the  other.  The  sobriquet  of  the  Ljttle  Corporal  ticldes  him 
immensely,  since  tie  knows  that  such  was  the  title  conferred 
upon  Napoleon  by  his  soldiers  after  one  of  his  daring  feats  of 
bravery.  When  the  generals  call  upon  us  for  ordierlies,  K.  is 
the  readiest  volunteer  in  the  battalion  for  that  duty,  and  feels 
greatly  depressed  when  reminded  that  his  diminutive  stature 
renders  1dm  ineligible.  He  is  engaged,  on  this  account,  for 
twenty  duels,  to  be  fought  as  soon  as  the  war  is  over.  He  will 
doubtless  fight  them  if  we  are  in  luck  as  we  expect  to  be. 
Sergeant  C.  is  devoted  to  the  infernal  gods  for  refusing  the  cor- 
2>oral's  tender  of  himself  on  one  of  these  occasions,  when  a 
taller  young  fellow  was  preferred. 

The  pockets  of  our  little  friend  are  literally  crammed  with  ' 
photographs  of  female  friends,  who  were  so  overcome  at  the 
corporal's  departure  for  the  seat  of  war,  that  the  least  favor  any 
of  them  granted  was  her  limned  likeness  to  carry  to  the  tented 
Held.  The  corporal's  acquaintances  say  that  he  took  two  of 
these  pictures  without  the  consent  of  the  fair  originals.  He 
attributes  these  "tales  of  a  friend"  to  envy, however,  and  so  the 
matter  rests. 

Our  first  and  second  battalions  received  five  hundred  of 
Colt's  revolvers  to-day.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  all  will  be  armed 
with  these  excellent  weapons  soon. 

Major  Ricker  is  now  in  command,  both  of  our  colonels  being 
absent  on  furlouo-h. 

o 

During  the  past  two  hours  there  has  been  heavy  firing  on 
our  left.  Seven  hundred  rebels  have  deserted  and  come  inr  to 
us.  One  of  their  cavalry  regiments  also  started  to  come  in, 
but  our  pickets  fired  upon  them  and  caused  them  to  beat  a 
hasty  retreat. 

The  weather  is  so  dry  that  we  have  to  drink  swamp  water, 
which  we  find  decidedly  unpleasant.  Our  pickets  find  great 
difficulty  in  procuring  their  meals  at  a  proper  time.  Tobacco 
is  in  great  demand,  and  its  scarcity  causes  an  occasional  diy 
joke. 

"Give  us  a  chaw  of  tobaker,  comrade,"  said  one  soldier  to 
another. 

.    "  What  kind  '11  ye  have,^'  asked  his  friend,  at  the  same  time 


HUMER0U8  ADVENTUKE3  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  67 

coolly  biting  a  large  cud  out  of  a  chunk  lie  had  in  his  hand. 
"  Mine's  dimmjcratic  terbacker,  and  therefore  bound  to  be  the 
best." 

"  Mine's  republican — when  I  have  it,  and  it  is  therefore  well 
mouthed  by  friend  and  foe,"  answered  No.  1,  looking  wistfully 
at  No.  2's  plug  as  it  descended  into  the  depths  of  the  owner's 
otherwise  empty  pockets. 

"Oh  ho,  republican,  hey  ?"  responded  No.  2.  "Well,  then, 
you'd  better  apply  to  our  friends,  the  secesh  yonder,  who  are. 
even  noM- plugging  away  at  us.  They'll  supply  you  with  as 
much  nigger  head  as  you  want." 

May  28. — There  has  been  heavy  and  almost  continuous  firing 
on  our  left  wing  since  11  o'clock  last  night.  Pope  and  Nelson 
are  engaged. 

2  P.  M. — Hurlburt,  on  our  right  is  now  at  it  with  his  artil- 
lery and  musketry.  Captain  Crawford  has  been  engaged  with 
him,  and  has  now  come  in  with  orders  for  our  division,  under 
General  Davis,  to  advance,  and  plant  some  pieces  so  as  to  rake 
a  field  in  the  immediate  front  of  our  position,  where  the  lines 
of  the  enemy  seem  the  strongest,  and  behind  which  are  his 
breastworks. 

The  right  and  center  are  both  at  work,  and  the  way  the  shot 
and  shell  "spread"  themselves  is  astonishing  to  a  pacific  indi- 
vidual. Captain  Crawford  in  leading  to  show  General  Davis 
tiie  position  for  his  guns,  narrowly  escaped  death.  AVhile  in 
the  act  of  firing  from  his  horse,  (which  I  loaned  him,)  one  of  a 
shower  of  balls  from  the  enemy,  struck  and  went  through  the 
horn  of  his  saddle.  The  position  of  his  body  alone  saved  his 
life  ;  for,  had  he  been  sitting  straight  upon  the  animal  at  the 
time,  he  could  not  have  escaped  being  struck  in  a  vital  part. 
General  Davis's  artillery  rakes  the  enemy  with  such  across 
fire,  that  they  stand  not  npon  the  order  of  their  going,  but  go 
at  once,  belter,  skelter,  across  the  field,  into  the  woods  and  over 
their  breastworks. 

May  20. — The  weather  is  extrcmelj^  warm  yet,  and  there  is 
but  little  air  stirring.  Yesterday  was  a  glorious  day  for  us. 
We'drove  the  rebels  back  along  the  whole  line  for  over  a  mile, 
capturing,  it  is  said,  a  large  number  of  prisoners,  ox-Governor 


68         nUMEROUS  ADVENTDRES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

Beriali  Magofiin,  of  Kentucky,  among  them.  Onr  men  were 
eno-ao-ed  in  building  new  breastworks  last  night,  and  have  them 
fully  completed  this  morning.  We  have  heard  the  drums  beat- 
ing in  Corinth  for  several  days,  but  this  evening  they  seem  few 
and  far  between.  General  Halleck  has  moved  his  camp  for- 
ward gome  two  or  three  miles.  Yesterday  he  ordered  out  re- 
connoitering  columns  on  the  right,  left,  and  center,  to  unmask 
the  enemy's  batteries;  but  they  encountered  strong  opposition, 
the  ground  being  so  hotly  contested  as  to  compel  them  to  fall 
back  again.  Our  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  about  fifty. 
The  woods  in  all  directions  are  so  bad  that  we  have  to  feel  our 
way  as  we  move  along. 

There  is  great  noise  heard  to-night  on  the  railroad  at  Corinth, 
as  though  the  enemy  was  moving  off  in  large  nuui^l^ers,  and 
that  place  was  being  evacuated.  General  Pope  has  requested 
permission  to  take  his  division  and  capture  the  place  and  the 
troops  and  stores  yet  remaining  there.  The  commanding  gen- 
eral refuses  permission  because  he  has  no  official  intelligence 
of  the  movements  of  the  rebels. 

May  oQ. — ^This  morning  with  a  letter  from  Captain  Thompson 
to  a  regiment  in  Sherman's  divison,  I  mounted  my  horse  at  6 
o'clock  and  was  about  to  gallop  off,  when  we  heard  the  noise 
and  saw  the  smoke  occasioned  by  several  loud  explosions  in 
the  direction  of  Corinth.  A  few  minutes  later  and  we  had  the 
official  report  that  the  rebels  had  certainly  evacuated  the  place. 
T  started  off  in  that  direction,  and  passed  the  greater  part  of 
M.  L.  Smith's  brigade,  which  was  rapidly  moving  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Corinth.  The  town  was  almost  entirely  deserted,  most 
of  the  citizens  having  left  with  Beauregard's'^rmy  the  night 
previous.  The  enemy  had  fired  a  large  hotel  near  the  depot, 
and  several  commissary  and  quartermaster  stores,  together 
with  arms,  arnunition,  M'agons  and  harness.  These  were  all 
more  numerous  than  we  had  supposed.  There  were  many 
abandoned  rebel  camps,  from  some  of  which  but  few  articles 
had  been  l*emoved.  In  these  molasses,  rice,  bacon,  and  cooking 
utensils  were  scattered  around  in  great  profusion.  There-^vero 
several  houses  still  burning  when  we  arrived,  near  some  of 
which  w<ere  cannon  balls,  shot,  and  shells.    There  was  also  cod- 


HUMEROUS  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEES.         69 

siderable  other  property  which  was  neither  carried  olT  nor  de- 
stroyed.. It  seems  that  the  enemy  has  for  some  time  been 
engaged  in  removing  their  valuable  stores,  sick,  and  a  portion 
of  their  effective  forces,  on  the  railroad.  Most  of  the  latter, 
however,  marched  oJS*  toward  Okalona,  a  place  on  the  Mobile 
and  Ohio  railroad,  and  upwards  of  one  hundred  miles  from 
here.  They  went  by  the  road  towards  Rienzi  and  Danville,,  to 
which  places  the  greater  part  of  our  army  has  followed  them, 
capturing  some  three  hundred  of  their  men.  General  Pope's 
division,  having  been  the  first  to  take  the  intrenchments  here, 
is  in  the  advance.  Had  this  general  been  permitted  to  break 
the  railroad  in  the  rebel  rear,  as  he  desired  to  do  a  few  days 
ago,  the  forces  of  Beauregard  never  would  have  escaped  as 
they  have  done,  ► 

Strong  breastworks  had  been  thrown  up  between  all  the  roads 
and  along  the  front  of  a  ridge  about  a  mile  from  Corinth.  The 
great  strength  of  these  defences  would  have  offered  an  almost 
insurmountable  obstacle  to  our  occupation  of  the  place,  if  the 
rebels  had  determined  to  hold  it.  Corinth  is  a  finel}-  built  little 
town.  It  has  a  strength  of  position  beyond  what  we  imagined, 
and  a  stubborn  defense  on  the  part  of  the  Confederates,  if  it 
had  not  kept  us  out  of  the  place  entirely,  would  at  least  have 
given  us  more  trouble  and  cost  more  blood  than  its  strategic 
importance  demands,  . 

May  31. — General  Pope's  division  is  meeting  'with  great 
success  in  its  pursuit  of  the  rebels,  having  arrived  at  Boonville 
before  daylight  this  morning.  Two  thousand  rebel  soldiers  with 
their  arms  and  amunition  have  been  captured.  They  have  also 
blowm  up  a  culvert,  destroyed  the  railroad  track,  and  taken  a 
railroad  locomotive  and  train  of  thirty  cars  loaded  with  supplies 
of  all  kinds.  They  took  at  the  ssme  place  about  ten  thousand 
stand  of  arms,  and  a  great  supply  of  quartermaster  and  ord- 
nance stores. 

The  roads  are  filled  with  flying  rebel  pickets,  many  of  whom 
are  captured  by  our  cavalry.  There  are  three  captured  loco- 
motives here  at  Corinth,  two  of  wdiich  are  in  running  order. 
A  bridge  over  the  Tuscumbia  river  was  to-day  destroyed  by  the 
enemy.     Another  one  not  far  off  was  set  fire  to,  but  was  saved 


70         nUMEUOUS  ADVENTUKES  OF  A  VOLDNTEER. 

by  Oaptuiu  Crawford,  who  tied  a  bucket  to  a  long  pole  and 
dipped  sufficient  water  from  the  river  for  that  purpose.  . 

Captain  Crawford  was  among  the  very  first  of  our  men  who 
entered  Danville.  He  was  shot  at  several  times  by  guerrillas, 
six  of  whom  he  and  another  man  captured  at  the  time. 

/w«g  2,  186*2.— Our  woik  being  nearl}"- completed  here  now 
by  the  capture  of  Corinth,  Captain  Crawford,  after  a  long  search, 
has  succeeded  in  finding  General  Halleck's  headquartes,  where 
lie  has  had  his  papers  signed  and,  to-morrow  he  leaves  us  for 
home.  , 

June  3. — Captain  Crawford,  McC,  and  myself  have  started 
for  Pittsburg  landing,  the  former  to  obtain  passage  on  a  steamer 
to  Cincinnati,  McC.  and  myself  to  bid  our  friend  good  bye,  and 
assist  him  with  his  luggage.  We-passed  Monterey  after  break- 
fast time,'  where  there  are  a  thousand  sick  soldiers  slioltered 
only  by  tents.  The  most  plentiful  production  of  this  section  of 
country,  judging  by  the  present  state  of  the  roads,  is  mud. 
There  would  have  been  much  hunger  in  our  party,  but  that  v/e 
happened  to  see  a  good  Samaritan,  who  keeps  a  bake  shop  by 
the  road  side,  and,  for  the  money,  supplied  all  our  wants.  There 
were  but  few  steamers  nearthe  landing  wlieii  we  arrived,  and 
it  required  two  hours' hard  work  for 'the  captain  to  secure, a 
passage.  All  things  at  last  being  ready  for  his  departure,  we 
sorrowfully  bade  him  farewell  and  returned  to  camp.  The 
relics  of  several  fields,  together  with  the  letters  from  our  boys, 
which  he  takes  home  with  him,  would  almost  load  a  good  sized 
w^agon. 

June  4. — Pope  has  advanced  beyond  Danville  with  Nelson's, 
McCook's,  Davis's,  and  Buell's  commands,  all  being  in  pursuit 
of  the  lining  rebels  ;  while  Sherman,  Hurlburt,  and  others  have 
gone  some  twenty  miles  out  on  the  Memphis  and  Charleston 
railroad,  in  the  direction  of  the  former  place.  The  1st  Ohio 
cavalry  captured  a  whole  company  of  Louisiana  Tigers  yester- 
day. They  are  nearly  all'  foreigners,  and  a  very  hard  looking 
set. 

June  6. — Our  battalion  is  encamped  two  miles  beyond  Cor- 
inth, near  the  plantation  and  Blue  Sulphur  springs  of  a  southern 
Bkedaddler,  who,  taking  liis  negroes  with  him,  left  the  place  as 


HUMEROCS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.         71 

a  hospital,  where  three  southern  wounded  soldiers  remain,  with 
three  Memphis  ladies  as  nurses,  and  a  widow  with  her  son-in- 
law  and  daughter,  who  have  possession  of  the  premises.  This 
place  is  situated  near  a  swamp,  and  the  idea  of  making  a 
pleasure  ground  and  erecting  a  ten-pin  alley  here  is  rather  re- 
markable, as  the  place  is  unfit  for  any  sort  of  pleasure  what- 
ever. 

Jane  7. — The;  houses  at  Corinth  are  being  cleaned  out,  some 
of  them  for  hospitals ;  and  the  filth  accumulated  here  by  un- 
clean persons,  together  with  a  large  amount  of  stores,  and  dead 
bodies  of  horses,  are  being  taken  away  or  burned  up  by  our 
men. 

June  8. — The  rebels  are  supposed  to  be  in  some  force  across 
the  Tuscumbia  river,  under  Beauregard.  Price's  army  is  almost 
entirely  broken  up,  as  one  of  his  men  who  has  deserted  to  us 
reports.  The  deserter  is  an  Ohioan,  and  informs  us  of  the  total 
demoralization  of  the  rebel  army.  ..'  T  '  '  *", 

I  have  just  been  over  to  Hurlburt's  [division,  the  tents  of 
which  are  rather  empty  just  now,  tlie  greater  number  of  the 
men  being  still  engaged  in  the  grand  rebel  hunt.  There  are 
several  empty  secesh  tents  on  th,e  ten  miles  of  road,  ,between 
here  and  Hurlburt's  camps,  in  and  around  which  I  have  picked 
up  quite  a  variety  of  weapons,  principally  large  knives  which 
look  like  small  sabres.  Forage  is  very  scarce.  We  receive 
but  one  sack  of  corn  or  oats  for  thirty-five  horses,  and  no  hay 
whatever. 

Jane  10. — On  my  return  to  Corinth  to-day  I  met  Colonel 
Taylor,  Major  Scherer,  Adjutant  Schultz,  Adjutant  Harrison, 
and  a  sutler,  all  of  our  regiment,  and  are  seeking  our  first  and 
second  battalions,  wliicli  are  attaclied  to  Hurlburt's  division. 
This  division  has  moved  out  on  the  Memphis  and  Charleston 
railroad  twelve  miles  farther.  My  meeting  with  these  officers 
was  glad  and  joyous,  as  they  are  all  true  gentlemen."  The 
paymaster.  Major  McDowell,  has  liquidated  all  debts  of  the 
government  to  this  division,  except  our  unfortunate  regiment. 
Our  continued  absence  is  the  cause  of  his  apparent  neglect  of 
us. 

June  11. — Buell's  whole  covps  (Varmce   has  returned.     The 


72  nUMEEOUS    AD^TENTUEES    OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

rebels  have  oiftrun  us  and  got  beyond  sight  and  hearing  in  as 
masterly  a  manner  as  they  evacuated  Corinth  and  Danville,  the 
latter  place  being  a  town  of  a  dozen  houses  inhabited  by  pre- 
tended Unionists.  There  is  a  soldier  in  the  10th  Kentucky 
who  seems  to  be  a  great  architectural  genius.  He  has  built  a 
shelter  for  himself,  out  of  cane,  (which  is  plenty  where  they 
were  camped,  near  Rienzi,)  which  has  regular  arcades,  windoAvs, 
and  doors.  In  fact  it  is  an  elegant  summer  residence,  and  is 
.kept  in  as  good  order  by  the  men  as  though  its  occupants  were 
lady  housekeepers  Avhose  greatest  pride  was  to  excel  every  one 
else  in  neatness. 

Dewberries  and  blackberries  are  now  very  plentiful  here. 
Pigs  and  cows  are  by  no  means  scarce.  Whose  are  they? 
We  have  been  unable  to  make  the  personal  acquaintance  of 
their  owners,  but  the  property  has  been  left  in  our  care,  and — 
we  are  caring  for  it  the  best  we  know  how.  Pies  of  the  ber- 
ries, made  almost  daily,  lard  and  fresh  pork  from  the  pigs,  and 
milk  from  the  cows,  make  np  a  dinner  too  good  for  the  service 
but  bully  for  the  sojers. 

June  12. — Tlie  weather  is  very  warm.  Mosquitoes  have  "ar- 
riv."  There  are  thousands  of  ants  that  seem -to  be  a  thousand 
years  old.  Oak  bottoms  and  running  streams,  (the  latter  nu- 
merous, but  nearly  all  in  the  process  of  obeyingthe  oftrepeated 
injunction  to  "dry  up,")  are  extremely  beautiful  in  this  neigh- 
borhood. 

Our  new  quartermaster,  Lieutenant  Owens,  feeds  us  well  at 
present.  A  new  broom  sweeps  clean.  Blackberry  patches 
are  plenty  about  here;  but  our  neighbors  pretend  great  ignor- 
ance in  regard  to  their  whereabouts,  even  when  they  can  be 
seen  from  their  own  doors.  They  hate  to  enlighten  us  on  any 
subject,  we  suppose,  which  has  the  black  connected  with  it. 
We  hope  they  '11  soon  hury  the  hatchet  and  jpaich  their  con- 
sciences. 

McCook's  brigade  has  just  passed  b}-  here  on  its  way  to 
Corinth.  The  men  seem  in  high  spirits,  being  under  the  im- 
pression they  are  leaving  forever  this  barren,  sickly  soil.  Their 
supposed  destination  is  Memphis,  by  the  river. 

Boonville,  ten  miles  south  of  us,  is  a  gay  place,  of  about  the 


HUMEKOUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  73 

dimensions  of  a  pocket  map,  and  as  variegated.  None  of  the 
citizens  of  this  phice  have  made  boon  companions  of  our  boy's 
yet,  by  means  of  correct  scientific  observations,  we  arc  enabled 
to  calculate,  with  a  groat  degree  of  accuracy,  the  strength  of 
their  stomachs,  and  their  immense  capacity  for  forty-rod  tangle 
foot. 

Our  privates,  sitting  in  private  judgement  on  their  superiors, 
and  listening  to  each  other's  arguments  pro  and  con,  are  trying 
to  settle  the  question  whether  Grant's  surprise  at  Shiloh,  or 
Halleck's  at  Corinth,  was  the  greater.  They  seem  to  put  it 
down  as  a  fact,  that  "  we  were  surprised  at  Shiloh;  but  that 
being  granted^  they  say  that  the  enemy's  evacuation  of  Corinth 
is  a  h — /  {of  a)  lick  on  us.  Pat  Dignan  has  added  our  com- 
mander-in-chief to  the  long  list  of  illustrious  Irishmen,  because 
he  clothes  even  the  roads  in  corduroy^  and  strews  them  witli 
shilelalP 

June  14. — Our  battalion  got  back  last  night  about  7  o'clock, 
from  beyond  Rienzi,  a  place  near  Baldwin,  which  is  on  the 
railroad,  of  imposing  appearauce,  but  nearly  depopulated  from 
fear  at  our  approach.  It  is  nearly  as  large  as  Corinth,  and  seems 
to  have  been  quite  a  business  place  in  days  lately  passed.  We 
do  n't  lament  the  departure  of  frightened  citizens,  who  must 
have  been  a  barefaced  set  to  strip  the  town  so  naked  on  the 
approach  of  us  inquisitive  strangers. 

A  member  of  our  battalion  whose  skill  since  he  has  been  in 
the  army,  has  been  excercised  principally  in  a  successful  search 
after  whisky,  is  accused  by  his  mess  of  having  vermin,  and  to 
definitely  settle  this  vexing  question,  they  unavaillngly  search 
him.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  ceremony  he,  with  a  show  of 
anger,  said : 

"  I  can  hear  a  louse  walk.  It  is  therefore  useless  for  vermin 
to  make  a  race  course  over  my  body." 

There  is  some  doubt  as  to  the  "  hear  him  comin'"  part  of  the 
remark. 

4  o'clock  P,  M.' — "NYeare  ordered  to  report  to  Colonel  Hickey, 
being  transferred  to  his  brigade,  which  is  just  formed,  and  is 
composed  of  the  5th  Ohio  cavalry,  the  dth  and  ITth  Illinois 
cavalry,  and  another  regiment  not  yet  designated.     We  are  to 


74  HUMEK0U8   ADVENTUSE8   OF  A    VOLUNTEEE. 

advance  along  the  Memphis  railroad  to  look  after  the  enemy 
and  his  guerrillas. 

No  pay  yet  for  us.  All  the  other  Ohio  troops  have  received 
their  pay  from  Major  McDowell  j  why  are  we  made  the  excep- 
tion. There  is  six  months  pay  due  us,  and  our  families  need 
funds  very  much. 

The  drums  are  beating  the  tattoo.  "  Lights  out."  But  I 
must  steal  a  moment  from  military  authority  and  the  darkness, 
to  record  the  fact  that,  among  the  innumerable  frogs  about  us, 
and  now  engaged  in  a  rivalry  of  song,  we  have  one  regular 
Brignoli  of  a  fellow;  wdiose  mellow  notes,  under  a  proper  cul- 
tivation, would  more  than '  equal  those  of  the  rotund  tenor  in 
whose  honor  we  have  named  him,  Brignoli,  second,  is,  just 
now,  engaged  in  the  "  Miserere,"  and  will  probably  soon  give 
us  his  "Non  ti  scordar  di  me."  It  must  be  in  honor  of  this 
'melodist  that  some  of  our  officers  wear  frogged  coats.  Were 
our  prodigy  to  be  heard  in  some  of  our  large  cities,  we  would 
doubtless  have  the  "frog  tie,"  the  "frog,  hop,"  and  possibly 
several  old  f(r)ogies  would  meet  him  with  "the  grandest  recep- 
tion ever  tendered  to  any  one,  in  this  city,  or;,  it  is  believed, 
the  West." 

How  delightfully  the  moon,  with  its  calm,  glowing  face,  shines 
down  upon  these  warlike  scenes,  seeming  to  throw  rebuking 
glances  at  the  elements  of  strife  surrounding  us.  Our  tents, 
coming  up  like  so  many  ghostly  shadows  in  the  foreground  of 
the  wood,  remind  one  of  the  lost  spirits  wandering  about  in  the 
'darkest  gloom  of  Pluto's  regions  ;  and  the  stillness  of.  the  lately 
so  merry  camp,  now  sunk  in  a  secure  repose,  ;vvhich,'  may,  at 
any  moment,  have  a  terrible  awakening,  lead  to  reflections 
that  one  would  well  wish  to  avoid. 

"  But  see!  the  clouds  are  floating  fast  and  far, 
Each  by  the  moon  tipped  with  a  silver  hue; 
But  here  and  there  we  note  a  gleaming  star, 
Like  angels  smiling  through  the  opening  blue." 

June  15. —  Sunday  is  t6  all,  except  soldiers,  a  day  of  rest, 
and  the  peals  of  church  bells  direct  the  thoughts,  or  rather  the 
imagination,  to  Ilim  who  has  proclaimed  "  Peace  and  good 
■will  upon,  earth."  Alas!  no  silver  toned  Sabbath  music  sounds 
for  the  occupant  of  the  canip  ;  the  shrill  fife  and  rattling  drum 


HDMEEOUS    ADVEjS'TURES    OF  A  VOLUNTEEH.  j  5 

proclaim  far  different  duties.  The  weatlier  to-day  is  exceed- 
ingly warm,  creating  a  drowsy  sort  of  laziness,  which  soldiers 
are  rather  noted  for.  Those  of  us  who  can  force  locomotion 
for  a  hundred  yards,  have  a  good  antidote  against  this  in  the 
creek ;  which  has,  at  one  place,  a  sufficient  depth  of  wj[iter  to 
afford  good  bathing,  of  which  many  take  advantage  to  their 
their  physical  and  mental  comfort.  The  Sulphur  spring  is  in 
close  proximity,  and  soldiers  far  and  near  come  to  obtain  a 
drink  or  ifill  their  canteens.  This  water  is  highly  impregnated 
with  iron  and  sulphur,  and  is  an  excellent  tonic,  for  which  ^11 
of  us  can  vouch,  many  of  us  having  been, relieved  of  debility 
through  its  frequent  use.  This  water  springs  up  through;  a 
perforated  marble  basin,  at  the  rate  of  twenty  gallons  orinore 
per  hour.  It  is  very  cool,  and  is  also  very  delicious  to  the 
taste.  The  proprietor  of  this  place,  a  doctor  of  secesh  procliv- 
ities, ran  away  with  his,  negroes  on  our  approach,  leaving  the 
house  in  care  of  a  widow,  who  still  remains  there,  and  with 
whom  are  half  a  dozen  w'ounded  rebel  soldiers.  These  are 
attended  by  two  rebel  nurses  of  the  female  persuasion.  One 
of  the  men  has  just  died  of  fever,  ancj  two  others  ran  away  as 
sooti'  as  they  were  able  to  get  off'.  There  is  now  but  one  of  them 
-remaining.  He  desires  to  take  the  oath  of  -us,  and  return  lo  his 
friends  in  Arkansas.  He  is  very  intelligent,  and  desires  heartily 
-that  the  war  will  sooivhave  an  end.  .  As  to  the  nurses,  they  are 
.fire-eaterstoan  intense  degree;  but  their  heated  words  are  of 
far, more  inflamable  material  than  the  modicum  of  chajcp:^  ^a 
ture  has  provided  them  with.  /  ,  .r-  ";  ; 

Our  quartermaster,  Lieutenant  Owens,  is  drawing  very  well 
on  the  commissary  department  at  Pittsburg  landing,  and  tiie 
subaistance  w^ill,  in  the  future,  bo  abundant.  We,  of  II  com- 
pany, haves,  at  present,  but  two  boxes  of  army  crackers,  and 
four  days  rations  of  coff"ee.  This  is  very  short,  as  we  es,pect 
orders  to  move  to-day. 

We  have  picked  up  many  loose  secesh  articles,  Jately,,  in 
southern  camps,  not  far  from  us.  Pat  D'ignau  has  just  returned 
from  one,  bringing  two  emblems ;  one  of  war,  the  other  ol 
peace;  in  the  shape  6f  a ^ pipe  aod  a  shorts  sword,  the  latter 
about  two  feeV  long  and-  half  as,  broad.     It  is  a   trcmouduus 


TG         HUMEKOUS  ADVENTUKES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

■weapon,  seemingly  well  calculated  for  close  quarters,  and  used 
originally,  it  is  presumed,  as  a  cane  cutter  on  some  sugar  plant- 
ation in  the  South.  ,  The  chivalry,  finding  them  less,  useful  in 
chopping  up  Yankees  than  in  chopping  down  sugar  crops,  leave 
them  jn  disgust  all  over  the  country  wherever  they  happen  to 
camp. 

June  15. — We  are  ordered  to  Corinth  by  companies,  this 
afternoon,  to  receive  four  months  pay.  We  need  it,  and  will 
make  the  best  possible  use  of  it,  by  sending  it  to  our  families 
instanter. 

June  16.-r^I  felt  very  ill  to-day  with  the  debility  which  has 
strongly  afi'ected  me  since  I  contracted  disease  at  Crump's 
landing;  and  I  have  got  a  furlough,  which  has  beeu  signed  by 
our  captain  and  Dr.  Davies,  for  twenty  days.  I  feel  grateful 
for  this,  as  dyspepsia  has  taken  up  its  terrible  abode  in  my 
stomach,  which  I  had  hoped  I  was  rid  of;  but  hard  fare  and 
the  really  necessary  exposure  of  camp  life,  have  somewhat 
dashed  my  hopes  in  this  respect,  and  I  suffer  very  much  in 
consequence.         :\>:.ii^i    uij  . 

1  reached  Pittsburg'lafl'dirig  this  evening,  and  departed  before 
dark,  on  board  the  good  steamer  Horizon,  for  home.  There 
are  a  large  number  of  officers  on  board,  from  the  artillery,  in- 
fantry, and  cavalry  arms  of  the  service,  who  do  not  seem  to  be 
very  great  sufferers  from  disease,  but  who  obtain  leaves  of  ab- 
sence much  oftener  than  the  privates.  So  it  goes  through  life. 
Men  in  liigh  position,  whether  entitled  to  them  or  not,  very 
often  obtain  indulgences  not  awarded  to  those  really  more 
worthy.  i/oiJ  \-i 

Samuel  Bard,  Captain  Thompson's  cook,  came  on  board  this 
steamer  at  Pittsburg  landing,  he  having  obtained  a  twenty  days' 
furlough  to  visit  his  wife,  near  Cincinnati,  on,  as  he  said,  very 
particular  private  business.  Several  11  company  men,  desirous 
of  sending  the  greater  part  of  their  money  home,  foolishly 
trusted  this  same  Bard  with  nearly  all  their  __four  months'  pay, 
amounting  to  about  two  thousand  dollars.  This  proved  to  be 
too  niucli  to  trust  with  this  club  footed  mail  carrier.  Bard,  in- 
stead of  going  to  Cincinnati  on  this  ste'amer,  as  he  promised, 
evacuated  her  at  Evansville,  Indiana,  took  th^  cars,  and  reached 


I 


HDMEE0U9  AdyENTCEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEE.         77 

Canada,  as  a  Cincinnati  detective  learned  through  the  chief  of 
police  of  Cleveland,  after  I  informed  him  of  this  dirty  action 
of  the  club  footed  cook.  The  description  of  Bard,  as  near  as 
I  can  come  at  it,  is  as  follows:  He  is  about  thirty-five  years  of 
age,  live  feet  two  inches  high,  dark  complexion,  and  clubbed, 
as  it  is  termed,  in  both  feet.  He  is  also  freckled  in  the  face. 
I  hope  this  fellow  Tvill  be  found  some  day,  and,  made  to  suffer 
the  imprisonment  he  so  richly  deserves. 

July  3. — Saw  in  the  Commercial  to-day  a  call  from  the  ad- 
jutant general,  which  said  that  every  Ohio  soldier  absent  from 
his  regiment,  with  or  without  leave,  must  report  at  once  at 
Camp  Chase.  George  O.  Ludlum,  a  fellow  member  of  H  com- 
pany, 5th  0.  V.  C,  and  myself,  iif  obedience  to  this  order,  re- 
ported at  Camp  Chase,  July  G,  and  nest  day,  after  an  examin- 
ation by  the  medical  director,  were  sent,  with  one  hundred  and 
ninety  other  sick  soldiers,  to  Camp  Dennison.  George  Ludlum 
and  I  were  hero  again  examined.  George  was  discharged,  and 
I  was  ordered  to  remain  until  the  next  examination  took  place. 
Dr.  Baxter,  an  excellent  physician,  had  charge  of  our  ward, 
and  would  soon  have  cured  me,  had  I  not,  in  August,  walked 
over  to  the  depot  to  cheer  two  hundred  soldiers  departing  for 
the  front  on  the  Little  Miami  railroad.  Standing  on  the  Mari- 
etta railroad,  four  feet  from  the  Little  Miami,  I  was  struck  by 
an  advancing  freight  train,  and  rendered  senseless  for  six  weeks. 
In  consequence  of  this  I  was  discharged  from  service  for  disa- 
bilities, by  Dr.  Carpenter,  the  examining  surgeon,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1862. 


■+f-,- 


PART  II. 


IlsT    THIE  SEE."^IOE  -A.C3-.^Ilsr. 


..',i.. 


March  12,  1863. — Had  my  first  volume  published,  and  re- 
ceived them  to-day,  when  I  immediately  sent  the  first  copy  of 
the  first  thousand  to  President  Lincoln,  and  the  second  copy  to 
Governor  Todd,  two  of  the  best  friends  living  of  United  States 
soldiers.  I  soon  disposed  of  the  balance  ©f  my  humble  work, 
"The  Adventures  of  a  Volunteer." 

May  27.— I  was  given  a  recruiting  commission  to-day,  by 
Major  Joseph  AVheeler,  as  captain  of  C  company,  provided  I 
raised  a  sulficient  number  of  men  to  entitle  me  to  the  captaincy., 
Feeling  much  better  in  renewed  health  than  I  had  for  months 
I  went  vigorously  to  work,  and  in  three,  weeks  I  enlisted  seventy - 
nine  men,  whom  I  had  'sworn  in  for  six  months,  by  Esquire 
Aldrich,  of  Third  Street;  examined  and  passed  by  Dr.  Norton, 
of  Central  Avenue ;  and  then  I  sent  them  in  squads  to  Camp 
Dennison,  whore  these  very  men  of  mine  were  picked  up  by 
pretended  oflicers  as  soon  as  they  arrived,  and  mustered  into 
service  as  Y/ia'r  recruits.  Through  my  own.  ignoran'co  of  the' 
fact  that  any  other  person  than  their  proper  officer  could  do 
this,  I  lost  vdy  C  coiiipany  of  Todd's  independent  scouts,  and  all 


80  nUMEKODS  ADVENTDEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

my  efforfs  to  raise  a  larger  body  of  recruits  than  any  other  of- 
ficer proved  of  no  avail.  ^ 

"  The  stranger  who  thns  sUaU  an  honr. 
To  trace  thy  w.ilks  from  bower  tn  bower,     ' 
Can  ne'er,  with  dull,  unconscious  eye. 
Leave  them  behind  without  a  sigh." 

After  many  days  of  hard  labor  in  informing  the  proper  au- 
thorities of  this  swindling  matter,  and  finding  that  I  had  lost 
my  men  through  my  own  ignorance,  I  was  about  to  give  up  ia 
despair,  when  I  thought  that  when  northwest  winds  strike  a 
ship  near  dangerous  breakers,  dismantling  and  almost  wrecking 
her,  she  may  be,  and  frequently  is,  saved  by  putting  forth  a 
sufficient  effort. 

•'  His  soul  with  thirst  of  genuine  glory  fraught. 
Scorned  the  false  lustre  of  licentious  thought." 

August  G. — This  day  I  received  notice  that  by  proceeding  to 
Columbus  I  would  receive  a  recruiting,  commission  from  Gov- 
ernor Todd,  as  he  was  aware  of  the  manner  in  which  I  had 
been  treated  in  my  first  attempt  at  recruiting.  I  did  so  and  at 
once  received  the  promised  commission,  dated  August  7, 1863. 
I  immediately  returned  to  Cincinnati  and  commenced  raising 
men  for  the  volunteer  cavalry  service,  reporting  twice  a  week 
to  the  adjutant  general  of  the  State,  stating  each  time  the  num- 
ber of  men  I  had  obtained. 

Boarded  my  men  at  Langerbein's  Union  Exchange,  on  Fifth 
street.  Captain  Stanhope,  the  disbursing  officer  at  this  post, 
mustered  in  my  recruits,  thirty-six  in  number,  on  the  31st  day 
of  August.  On  the  5th  of  September  I  wrote  to  Adjutant  Gen- 
eral Ilill,  astcing  another  month  for  recruiting,  as  I  expected  at 
the  end  of  that  period  to  have  at  least  fifty  nlen.  I  kept  on  as 
hard  as  I  could  until  the  Gth  of  October,  when  Major  Cook 
ordered  me  to  Camp  Dennison  td'  consolidate  my  forty-nine 
men  with  Captain  I.  N.  Iletzler,  I  obeyed  orders,  and  was  first 
lieutenant  of  G  company,  9th  0.  V.  C.  There  were  seven  men 
lacking  to  fill  this  company,  and  they  were  obtained  by  Major 
Cook,  one  of  whom,  his  brother,  was  immediately  made  first 
duty  sergeant,  to  the  evident  dissatisfaction  of  the  entire  com- 
pany. 

A  few  days  before  this  consolidation,  my  commission  was 
sent  me  from  Columbus,  by  the   adjutant  general,  who  placed 


HUMER0U8  ALVENTUKES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEB.         81 

it  in  the  hands  of  Major  Cook  with  instructions  to  deliver  it  to 
me,  which  he  neglected  to  do.  Being  informed  of  this,  I  went 
to  Columbus  and  obtained  a  new  commission  of  the  same  style 
and  date,  which  caused  such  anger  on  the  part  of  Cook  as  I 
shall  never  forget. 

Lieutenant  Lord  mustered  me  into  service  as  first  lieutenant 
of  G  company,  9th  0.  V.  C,  which  made  me  feel  so  happy 
that  I  fell  down  on  my  knees  and  thanked  my  Great  Creator 
for  this  act  of  justice  ;  and  I  always  will  thank  my  Maker  for 
every  benefit  arising  from  His  great  kindness  to  a  sufieriug 
human  being  like  myself. 

Having  no  second  lieutenant  of  G  company,  a  person  named 
Knapp,  who  was  acting  sergeant-major  of  Camp  Dennison, 
came  to  my  quarters  about  two  days  previous  to  the  consolida- 
tion, and  desired  a  private  interview  with  me,  which  I  granted. 
He  told  me  that  reports  were  current  in  camp  to  the  efiect  that 
all  my  recruits  were  going  to  desert  because  I  was  not,  as  I 
ought  to  be,  their  captain.  I  was  not  aware  at  this  time  that 
this  proceeding  was  a  bold  strategical  manouvre  on  his  part, 
but,  as  the  sequel  will  show,  made  the  discovery  just  in  the  nick 
of  time, 

"  For  heartfelt  wrongs  thy  btimuhited  force 
Oft  wakens  vengeance,  and  Impels  its  course; 
Thy  feverish  hand  lays  bare  each  wound  to  view. 
That  it  may  throb,  and  rage,  and  bleed  nnew; 
While  all,  perhaps,  the  injured  can  acquire. 
Is,  not  to  pardon — but  forget  its  ire-" 

In  close  vicinity  to  general  headquarters  was  a  small  frame 
house  occupied  by  a  laundress,  the  wife  of  a  sergeant  absent 
with  his  regiment,  with  whom  this  Knapp  was  familiar.  Ho 
invited  me  into  the  inner  room,  closed  the  door,  and,  sitting- 
down  by  my  side,  opened  the  conversation  by  saying  : 

"I  know'  a  large  number  of  your  men  will  desert  when  this 
consolidation  takes  place,  as  I  have  seen  such  things  occur  be- 
fore. I  know  it  is  hard  on  your  tender  feelings  ;  and  considering 
your  hard  labor,  and  the  amount  of  money  you  expended  in 
procuring  so  many  men,  my  best  advice  to  you  is  that  yen  sign 
a  recommendation  for  me  to  Governor  Todd,  stating  that  you, 
as  yet,  have  no  second  lieutenant  in  your  company :  and  that 
6 


82  HDMEKOUS  ADVENTUKES  OF  A  VOLUKTEEB. 

knowing"  me  to  be  an  excellent  soldier,  as  3'on  do,  you  are 
certain  that  I  will  always  faithfully  discharge  every  duty  de- 
volving on  me." 

I  foolishly  consented  to  do  this,  when  he  wrote  what  he  called 
a  recommendation,  which,  in  the  state  of  excitement  I  was,  I 
signed,  and  then  returned  to  my  cjuarters,  glad  to  think  I  had 
so  kind  a  military  friend  as  Mister  F.  H.  Knapp.  Next  day  I 
was  to  meet  him  at  Lieutenant  Lord's  office,  as  he  had  special 
"business  with  me,  and.  Lieutenant  Lord  being  absent,  no  person 
would  there  interrupt  us  except  a  particular  friend  of  Knapp's, 
Lieutenant  Lord's  head  clerk.  In  the  presence  of  this  clerk  he 
offered  me  the  loan  of  five  dollars  to  get  our  dinner  at  Mr. 
Zumstein's.  I  refused  the  loan  as  I  then  discovered  something 
of  the  efiorts  he  was  making  to  obtain  a  position  he  knew  he 
was  not  entitled  to,  he  never  having  obtained  a  single  recruit 
Tor  any  service.  I  immediately  demanded  the  recommendation 
papers  I  had  signed,  which  he  said  he  -would  give  me,  biit  he 
quickly  left  the  office  and  I  could  not  then  discover  where  he 
went.  I  informed  Lieutenant  Colonel  Cook  and  Captain  Hetz- 
ler  of  the  matter,  and  they  told  me  I  had  better  seek  this  man 
and  compel  him  to  return  the  papers.  I  did  so;  finally  found 
him,  and  when  he  returned  them  I  found  they  were  not  papers 
of  recommendation,  but  one  of  them  was  a  blank,  and  the  other 
a  statement  to  Governor  Todd  that  Knapp  had  paid  me  my 
expenses,  and  I  hoped,  therefore,  that  he  would  obtain  my 
present  position  as  first  lieutenant. 

I  was  then  well  satisfied  what  kind  of  a  man  he  was,  yet  I 
foolishly  made  no  effort  to  show  his  principles,  or  restrain  his 
farther  ill  work.  Enough  of  the  fellow  who  kept  a  prostitute 
at  Milford,  passed  her  ofi"  as  his  wife,  and  swindled  himself 
into  a  commission. 

"  Build  mc  a  shrine  am]  I  conld  kneel 
To  rural  gods,  or  prostrate  fall; 
Did  I  not  see,  did  I  not  feel. 
That  one  Great  Spirit  governs  all." 

November^  1863. — I  met,  for  the  first  lime,  Colonel  Hamilton, 
who  commands  the  9th  0.  Y.  C.  lie  seems  to  be  a  gentleman 
and  a  brave  soldier,  which  I  hope  ho  will  prove  himself  to  be, 
in  every  particular. 


J 


HUMEROUS  ADVENTDEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  83 

Dcconiber  came  and  went  here  in  old  style.  Good  and  bad 
plotters  have  beer^and  still  ai-e  at  work,- and  to  feel  myself  as 
low  as  most  of  these  degraded  scamps  is  not  my  mental  style. 
I  feel  myself  more  worth}''  every  way,  and  hope  every  good 
man  I  meet  thinks  the  same.  Christmas  day  came  and  I  wrote 
the  following  humble  lines  : 

O,  for  the  tongue  of  some  poetic  ?cer, 

Who'd  reach  the  sublime  on  the  Christmas  cheer, 

The  glorious  holiday  revelry: 
The  cheer  that  rang  up  to  the  blue  vr.ults  of  heaven, 
For  friends  who  so  nobly  and  gladly  had  given 
The  spread  to  the  Ninth  0.  V.  cavalry. 

'T  was  published,  how  truly  let  bards  ever  tell. 

With  flourish  of  trumpets  and  symphonic  swell, 
That  maidens  chivalric  and  demoiselles  gay, 
The  soft  hearts  of  Hamilton's  troopers  to  wile, 
Determined  a  feast  in  the  highest  old  style, 
Served  by  their  sweet  selves  on  this  home  loving  day. 

Miss  Todkins  brought  tongue,  a  smile,  and  a  caper; 
Miss  Smallgood  a  leg  (fresh  veal)  very  taper; 
Jane  Junkel  a  bonnie  new  (s)cent  for  a  salad, 
And — what  the  rest  gave  you  shall  know  in  my  ballad. 
There  were  parings  of  cheese  with  never  a  mite. 
And  crumbs  of  great  comfort  for  soldiers  to  bite; 
Faint  smellings  of  pork  to  the  bones  yet  attached, 
And  blue  monkeys'  tails,  such  as  never  were  matched; 
With  fricaseed  turnip-tops  trimmed  a  la  mode, 
And  choice  leather- chips  was  the  table  well  stowed. 
The  shell  of  an  egg,  long  the  thief  of  the  nest. 
With  the  comb  of  a  rooster  deliciously  dress'd. 
Were  flanked  by  two  tumble-bugs,  juicy  and  green; 
A  grasshopper,  roasted,  stood  grandly  between. 
A  crocodile's  tooth,  which  was  shipped  from  the  Nile, 
Was  stewed  vrith  a  bird's  nest,  from  China,  in  style. 
A  chowder  of  cotton  balls  mingled  with  lard, 
And  a  hot  Texas  pudding  to  take  was  n't  hard. 
A  codfish's  gills,  too,  embellished  the  scene. 
With  elegant  soup  from  a  real  castor  bean. 
The  wings  of  a  woodpecker,  hoofs  of  a  fawn, 
Soup-congo,  soup-pongo,  soup-erb  and  soup-awn. 
This  sumptuous  feast  of  the  fiir-fetchcd  and  rare. 
Too  good  was  for  soldiers,  I  humbly  declare. 
Yet  in  would  they  pitch,  like  a  fl(jck  of  wild  geese. 
Or  doughnuts  in  batches  thrown  into  boiled  grease. 
Such  crowding,  such  pushing,  suchdevil-maj'-care, 
Was  never  yet  equalled  at  Donnj  brock  Fair. 


84:  HUMEROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

Jim  Jones  he  cried,  "  Turkey,"  when  tramped  on  the  toes, 

Tom  Cronin,  no  chicken,  was  rapped  on  the  nose. 

John  Johnson  struck  out  with  a  vigor  and  viitn, 

And  twenty  great  troopers  then  pitched  into  him. 

Young  Hendry  he  tackled  a  giant.     The  boy 

Came  off  hke  Achilles. o'er  Hector  of  Troy, 

While  E-over,  quick  dodging  a  threafning  boulder. 

Straightened  a  dozen  with  straight  from  the  shoulder. 

The  word  was,  "Go  in,  boys!     Hurrah!     A  free  blow! 

From  dinner  to  dessert  like  nabobs  we  '11  go!  " 

Then  fists,  quick  as  bullets  at  Shiloh,  did  fly, 

Till  noses  were  rubied  and  black  was  each  eve; 

Till  battered  lads,  bruised  lads  lay  strewn  o'er  the  ground, 

"Who  fell,  (vide  old  Homer,)  "  with  thundering  sound." 

No  uproar's  more  hideous  since  archangels  fell. 

And  how  it  sprung  up  there  what  prophet  can  tell? 

When  sudden,  'mid  shouts,  imprecations,  and  cries, 

"  The  curnel,"  some  frightened  one  yells  in  surprise. 

The  rout  then  began,  and  to  add  to  its  fun, 

This  battle  shall  ever  be  known  as  a  "run." 

I  ran  with  the  rest,  I  acknowledge  the  corn, 

I  ne'er  was  so  bothered  since  first  I  was  born. 

Miss  Goforth  and  I  had  gone  forth  in  a  reel. 

The  music  just  suiting  the  toe  and  the  heel. 

When  rumbled  like  thunder  the  alarm  as  I've  said 

Alas,  the  fair  G.  tumbled  heels  over  head. 

And  then — a  loud  thumping,  with  oaths  quick  and  hard. 

And  "  Hang  it;  wake,  sergeants,  the  third  relief  guard. 

You  sluggards,  is  here."     1  had  but  been  dreaming, 

And  feast,  fight,  and  ladies  were  only  in  seeming. 

The  certain  realities  were  that  my  door 

Was  breeched  by  a  corporal's  squad(ron)  of  four. 

A  thriftless  proceeding — I'd  little,  I  swear. 

Like  Flora  McFlimsey,  I'd  little  to  wear. 

But  scud  like  a  ship  under  sail  in  a  storm* 

My  jib-sheet  close  reefed,  just  to  keep  me  inform, 

Till  "  Port!  hard  a  port!"  brought  me  up  in  a  run. 

And  there  stood  Frank  Goodwin,  sir,  choking  with  fun. 

He  promised,  e'er  parting,  howe'erto  refrain. 

From  telling  our  Cap.;  so  I'm  "  Ilichar-r-r-d  again!" 

The  curtain's  rang  down,  here's  the  peice  at  a  close, 

And  who  it  was  written  for,  sure  somebody  knows. 

Dr.  Baxter  is  chief  of  police  at  this  post,  and  John  Zumstein, 
the  kind  liearted  sutler  of  the  5th  Ohio  cavahy,  is  now  post 
sutler  at  Camp  Dennison.  Ue  is  of  the  right  stripe,  for  he 
always  treats  men  well,  and  never  asks  three  times   the  value 


HDMEROUS    ADVENTURES    OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  85 

of  anything  lie  sells  soldiers,  as  some  other  men  do.  Mr.  Zum- 
fitein  credited  certain  parties,  and  thinks  as  I  do,  that  he  will 
never  be  paid. 

We  have,  I  am  happy  to  say,  some  \cry  excellent  officers  in 
tliis  9th  0.  V.  C.  Captains  Breyfogle,  McCutchen,  Stough, 
Bowles,  and  Gatz;  and  Lieutenants  Cole,  Fechner,  Schronig, 
Brown,  Adjutant  Arthur  Hamilton,  and  some  others. 

Jamiary  15. — This  has  been  a  hard  month,  so  far  as  weather 
is  concerned,  and  what  is  worse  on  me  is  that  I  have  received 
notice  that  my  wife  and  two  children  are  very  unwelL  I  should 
love  to  be  with  them  as  often  as  possible,  t>ut  as  I  am  needed 
liere  in  camp,  I  cannot  expect  leave  again  very  soon  to  visit 
them. 

Received  all  our  horses.  G  company's  are  light  colored,  and 
■will  be  somewhat  dangerously  conspicuous  during  the  time  of 
action. 

February  4,  1804. — Received  marching  orders  to-day.  Leave 
to-morrow. 

Fehrxiary  5,  10  o'clock  A.  M. — We  are  now  on  horseback, 
marching  to  Cincinnati.  Arrived  at  4  P.  M.  and  placed  our 
horses,  baggage,  etc.,  all  on  board  of  four  transports,  which 
are  waiting  here  to  carry  us  on  to  the  front.  At  5  o'clock 
Captain  Stetson  sent  me  orders,  through  Captain  Hetzler,  to 
meet  ]\lr.  Coleman,  his  head  clerk,  at  the  Spencer  House,  to  in- 
form him  how  long  I  boarded  my  recruits  at  Langenbein's 
Union  Exchange.  Saw  Mr.  Coleman ;  stated  the  whole  par 
ticulars  to  him,  and,  returning  to  the  steamer,  found  no  officer 
on  board  until 

February  6,  0  ^4.  M. — Lieutenant  Colonel  Cook  and  Captain 
Hetzler  came  on  board,  and  Cook  insulted  not  only  myself, but 
Captain  Stetson  and  Mr.  Coleman,  by  placing  me  under  arrest 
for  the  only  absence  with  leave  that  has  occurred  since  we  were 
on  board.  All  the  rest  of  the  absent  officers,  Major  C,  Captain 
Hetzler,  and  Second  Lieutenant  Frank  Knapp,  were  absent 
without  leave,  to  visit  the  house  of  Mrs.  Stewart,  on  West  Fifth 
street. 

Left  Cincinnati,  at  10  o'clock  A.  M.,  on  the  Young  America. 
Arrived  at  Louisville  February  7,  at   0  A.  M.,  and  marched  to 


86         HUMEEOUS  ADVENTUKES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

Camp  Spring  Garden,  when,  to  my  utter  astonishment,  I  found 
myself  still  under  arrest,  and  informed  Colonel  Hamilton  of 
the  whole  ajffair,  which  he  said  should  be  attended  to  as  soon 
as  possible.     Shame,  where  is  thy  head  ? 

i'ehruary  9. — To-day  Colonel  Hamilton  received  au  order 
from  General  Burnside,  to  detacli  Lieutenants  Fechner,  Cole, 
and  myself  as  witnesses  for  the  government  in  United  States 
vs.  Langenbein.  In  obedience  to  orders,  we  returned  to  Cin- 
cinnati, where  court  martial  was  held  against  Langenbein  and 
others.  This  proves  my  arrest  a  contemptible,  dastardly  out- 
rage. 

February  10. — Reported  at  the  judge  advocate's  ofHce,  and 
my  coming  as  a  witness  in  this  case  was  approved  by  the  proper 
officer.' 

March  8. — Met  two  clerks  of  the  adjutant  general,  at  Camp 
Dennison,  who  informed  me  m}^  old  particular  enemy,  Knapp, 
is  a  deserter  from  D  company,  I'd  0.  V.  C,  and  has  been  sent 
lUr  by  his  captain,  Llenry  Clay  Pike,  a  gentlemanly,  noble 
minded  soldier,  whom  I  met  on  Fourth  street,  near  Pike's  opera 
house,  which  his  uncle,  S.  N.  Pike,  Esq.,  is  owner  of.  Knapp, 
he  says,  is  one  of  the  very  lowLSt  privates  in  any  Ohio  regi- 
ment, and  is  known' to  every  man,  soldier  or  servant,  in  the  2d 
O.  V.  C.  as  a  very  degTa,ded  knave.  He  lied  to  his  captain 
about  a  sergeant  in  his  company  in  order  to  obtain  his  position, 
and  he  succeeded  for  a  very  short  time.  He  was  appointed 
sergeant,  but  being  discovered  trampling  on  better  men,  and 
plotting  against  officers,  he  was  immediately  reduced  to  the 
ranks.  A  pretended  sickness  brought  him  to  Camp  Dennison, 
where,  as  acting  sergeant  major,  he  laid  and  attempted  to  exe- 
cyite  all  sorts  of  evil  plots,  until,  meeting  my  unfortunate  self, 
he  obtained  a  position  he  nor  any  one  like  him  is  fit  for.  We 
liave  learned. to  know  that  such  conduct,  sooner  or  later,  meets 
its  just  punishment,  and  hope  that  this  case  will  not  be  an  ex- 
ception. 

"  Momentous  triumpli — fiend  thy  race  is  o'er; 
Thou,  whose  blind  rage  has  ravaged  every  shore. 
Whose  name  denotes  destruction,  whose  foul  'oreutli, 
Forevea  hoveling  round  tlie  dart  of  death. 
Fells,  mercilessly  fells,  the  bravo  and  base. 
Through  all  the  kiiidr.'d  of  the  humau  race." 


HCMEKODS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  YOLUNTEEE.         8T 

March  23. — Sent  Corporal  11.  Stalil,  Priv^atcs  C.  Koch  aud 
Thomas  MaJderu  to  rejoin  the  regiment  to-day. 

I  became  acquainted  with  a  circumstance  this  day  whicii 
strikes  me  very  forcibly.  A  certain  doctor,  residing  near  a 
certain  city  is  a  bachelor  of  forty  years  and  upwards,  who  fre- 
quentl}^  makes  the  acquaintance  of  young  ladies  through  street 
talk,  and  politeness  displayed  on  all  occasions  ;  especially  when 
in  close  proximity  to  young  maids  of  handsome  appearance. 
He  is  very  affable  and  persuasive,  it  seems,  as  he  causes  many 
of  these  foolish  young  girls  to  lose  their  moral  character  and 
become  mothers  while  yet  unmarried.  As  an  instance  of  this 
method  of  his,  I  inform  the  public  of  a  proceeding  which  camo 

to  my  certain  knowledge  ,  as  1  resided  close  to  Mrs.  V.  K , 

No.  —  West  — th  street,  where,  on  or  about  the  last  of  Janu- 
arj^,  1SG4:,  he  brought  a  young  lady  from   Kentucky  to  board. 

Here  she  was  called  Mrs.  F ,   and  to  show  that  the  term 

'•  Mrs."  was,  or  should  have  been  correct,  she,  three  weeks  after 
her  arrival,  was  brought  to  bed  and  had  a  child  that  has  not 
been  christened  yet.  This  new  mother  is  very  handsome,  as 
foolish  as  she  is,  and  is  the  daughter  of  very  wealthy  parents, 
who  move  in  first  class  societ}'.  They  are__not  aware  of  their 
only  and  petted  daughter's  indiscretion,  or,  no  doubt,  she  would 
be  homeless  to-day.  I  have  seen  tliis  erring  girl  frequently, 
but  was  not  aware  of  her  guilt  until  to-day.  I  saw  the  child 
carried  off  secretly  to  a  nurse  in  the  country,  and  the  young 
mother  shedding  tears  of  grief  at  the  bitter  necessity  that  thus 
early  deprived  her  of  her  little  one. 

There  is  now^  another  victim  of  seduction  boarding  at  the 
same  place.  The  name  given  this  erring  girl  is  Mrs.  E — th. 
Alas!  some  young  girls  are  led  astray  to  their  injury  very 
easily. 

March  25. — Met  the  first  and  second  lieutenants  of  C  com- 
pany, 2d  0.  V.  C,  on  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Elm  streets,  who 
seeing  the  figure  "U''  on  my  hat,  asked  me  if  I  belonged  to  the 
itth  0.  V.  C.  I  told  them  I  did,  when  they  asked  mo  if  Frank 
Kuapp  was  not  in  that  regiment.  I  told  them  I  thought  he  was, 
and  asked  them  if  they  knew  him.  They  both  answered  by 
saying,  in  the  presence  of  five    or  six   persons,  that  not   only 


88  irUMEROUS    ADVENTUKliS    OF  A  VOLUNTEEE. 

did  they  know  him  as  a  cowardly,  plottinn;  poltroon,  but  every 
member  of  their  regiment  knew  him  as  the  same.  Enough  of 
him  forever;  I  shall  not  mention  his  name  again  if  I  can  help 
it. 

April  18. — Major  General  Sherman,  the  noble  commander 
of  the  division  to  which  were  attached  our  first  and  second 
battalions  of  the  5th  0.  V.  C,  at  and  before  the  battle  of  Shiloh, 
now  commands  the  army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  hasliis  head- 
quarters in  the  field,  I  hear.  1  hope  it  is  true,  as  he  is  a  gen- 
eral officer  we  all  believe  in.  At  Shiloh  he  was  one  of  General 
Grant's  main  props,  on  Sunday,  April  6, 18G2.  May  his  shadow 
never  be  less. 

April  21. — Have  just  received  a  letter  from  one  of  my  men, 
^rank  Hurff,  which  informs  me  that  on  Wednesday,  April  13, 
Captain  Helzler,  Second  Lieutenant  Frank  Knapp,  and  thirty- 
nine  of  my  G  company  men,  were  captured  near  Florence,  Al- 
abama, and  two   men,  James  Jones    and  Vanmctre  were 

killed.  I  saw  Lieutenant  Cole  receive  a  letter  telling  all  about 
this.  It  was  published  in  the  Times,  und  I  here  reproduce  it 
as  it  was : 

FROM  THE  NINTH  0.  V.  C— CAPTURE  OF  OHIO  CAVALRY. 

A  letter  from  Major  11.  Plessner,  to  Lieutenant  S.  H.  Cole, 
gives  the  following  particulars  ol  the  capture  of  a  portion  of 
the  Otli  Ohio  cavalry.  It  is  dated  from  Athens,  Alabama, 
April  15: 

"  About  ten  days  since  Lieutenant  Colonel  Cook  was  sent  on 
a  foraging  expedition  with  seven  companies  of  the  Otli  Ohio 
cavalry,  when  through  some  mistake,  he  allowed  three  compa- 
nies to  leave  his  command  and  proceed  in  different  directions, 
to  return  in  three  or  four  days.  Companies  G,  E,  and  I  were 
out.  G  company  was  encamped  near  the  river,  in  a  barnyard. 
Captain  Iletzler  and  Lieutenant  Kna]:»p  went  to  the  planter's 
house  to  sleep,  having  previously  thrown  out  fM;o  pickets.  Tiie 
men  were  surprised  about  3  o'clock  in  the  morning.  C-orporal 
Vanmetre  and  Private  Jones  were  instantly  killed,  the  rest  were 
all  taken  prisoners.  After  they  had  secured  the  privates,  un- 
known to  these  very  officers,  they  sent  a  guard  after  the  oilicera 
and  hurried  tlie  entire  crowd  across  the  river. 


HUMEEOUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEE.  89 

"Private  Jones,  who  was  killed,  was  enlisted  from  the  Four- 
teenth ward." 

Poor  fellow  !  I  enlisted  him. 

Another  statement  of  the  Times  is  as  follows:    . 

"The  following  are  the  names  of  the  soldiers  captured  near 
Florence,  Alabama.  They  were  members  of  G  company. 
Lieutenant  Fanning,  their  commander,  is  now  here,  having  been 
summoned  as  a  witness  on  a  court  martial.  Tiie  captured 
were : 

"  Sergeants  Kennedy,  Coo-k,  Winks,  Smeltzer,  Snyder,  Shid- 
ler,  and  Gamble. 

Corporals  Lightfoot,  Bryant,  Hover  and  Connor. 

Privates  I.  W.  F.  Johnson,  Gillen,  two  Foss  brothers.  Brock, 
Koch,  Edson,  two  Smith  brothers,  Ilewell,  Addlesberger,  Mc- 
Nainee,  AVorman,  Mannson,  Balston,  Niblick,  Powell, Shanlslin, 
Bryan,  and  several  others.  In  all,  captured  and  killed  forty- 
one." 

This  evil  accident  happened,  I  am  told,  through  the  negli- 
gence of  the  officers  who  commanded  the  company ;  th.ey  being 
absent  at  the  time  it  occurred.  There  were  only  ^^«o  picket 
guards  placed  out,  and  both  were  killed  on  this  sad  occasion. 
Both  these  men  were  meritorious  soldiers,  one  of  whom,  James 
Jones,  I  enlisted  as  a  recruit  in  the  Fourteenth  ward  of  Cin- 
cinnati. 

May  C. — This  day  ended  the  case  of  Langenbein,'the  govern- 
ment defrauder,  against  whom  I  have  been  kept  here  as  a  wit- 
ness nearl}^  three  months.  His  punishment  will  be  severe,  for 
he  has  swindled  the  United  States  government  out  of  sixty-live 
thousand  dollars,  charging  that  sum  for  boarding  recruits  less 
than  one  year. 

3fay  8. — Left  Cincinnati  for  the  front,  on  the  General  Lj'tle, 
and  arrived  at  Louisville  at  1  A.  M.  of 

M.iy  9. — Departed  for  Nashville  at  7  A.M.,  and  arrived  there 

at  4  P.  M. 

Hay  10. — Stopped  at  the  St.  Cloud  IIolcl,  a  very  sumptuous 
house — if  the  bill  of  fare  was   only  equal   to  the  bill  cliarged. 

Maij  IL— Started  on  the  morning  train  for  Athens,  Alabama, 
where  my  company  is  now  stationed. 


90  HUMEROUS    ADVENTUSES    OF  A    VOLUNTEER. 

May  VI. — Arrived  at  Athens  at  4  F.  M.,  and  found  compa- 
nies I  and  G  here. 

May  13. — I  lind  Athens  a  small  place,  yet  it  ought  to  be 
flourishing,  since  Federal  troops  hold  it,  and  several  pretended 
Unionists  are  residents  of  this  seemingly  good  locality.  Lieu- 
tenant Cole  and  myself  remain  here  to  take  command  of  our 
respective  companies,  sending  letters  to  Colonel  Hamilton,  at 
Decatur,  Alabama,  informing  him  of  our  arrival.  Lieutenant 
Fcchner  left  us  to  rejoin  E  company  at  Decatur,  and  kindly 
carried  our  letters  to  the  colonel.  • 

I  iind  my  fragmental  company  all  well,  and,  so  they  say, 
happy  to  see  me.  I  hope  this  happiness  is  true,  as  I  look  upon 
all  good  men  as  my  equals,  if  not  my  superiors.  Major  Wil- 
liamson, commanding  our  second  battalion,  is  here,  and  seems 
a  gentleman  in  every  shape.  An  indefatigable  ofiiccr,  ready 
always  to  perform  any  hazzardous  duty,  he  is,  and  I  am  happy 
to  be  under  a  gentleman  who  is  so  noted  |'or  courage,  gallantry^ 
and  everything  else  tliat  is  creditable  in  a  soldier.  That  he 
may  raise  in  his  military  profession,  as  he  deserves  to,  is  my 
heartfelt  prayer. 

Entering  a  grocery  here  to  buy  tobacco,  I  saw  a  southern 
doctor  of  divinity  in  the  back  room,  (where  beer  is  sold,)  go 
out  of  the  back,  door,  wiping  his  mouth.  He  seemed  to  feel 
uneasy  as  I  looked  at  his  side  movements.  The  fact  is  he 
evacuated  the  premises  because  he  thought  some  of  the  broth- 
erhood-might hear  of  his  unclerical  habit-of  indulging  in  strong 
drink. 

Friday.^  May  13, — Started  out  at  4  P.  M.,  fully  armed  and 
equipped,  on  an  expedition  to  Florence,  and  were  joined  by  the 
7lh  Illinois  mounted  infancy,  commanded  by  Colonel  Tlowett, 
and  the  first  battalion  of  our  own  regiment,  under  Major  Sims, 
an  ollicer  well  liked  by  his  men.  I  am  proud  to  know  that  I 
am  under  two  good  field  oflicers.  Our  first  battalion  came 
from  Fulaski,  Tennessee,  where  it  is  stationed.  This  raid  is  in 
consequence  of  intelligence  received  by  Brigadier  General 
Matthias,  commanding  at  Decatur,  Alabama,  that  Florence,  a 
rebel  hole,  is  at  present  occupied  by  a  brigade  under  General 
Ilhoddy,  and  a   few  bushwhackers    under  Brigadier   General 


HUMEROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  91 

Wheeler,     Advanced  tliirly  miles  and  camped  for  the  night  at 
11  R  M. 

May  14. — Started  again  at  4  A.  M.  and  advanced  six  miles, 
when  we  heard  iiring  in  front.  Tliis  was  between  our  advance 
guard  and  the  rebel  picket.  Soon  after  hearing  the  firing  E 
ccimpany,  Caj^tain  oreyibglo,  and  a  part  of  il  company  dis- 
mounted and  deployed  as  skirmishers,  advancing  into  the  thick 
woods  on  our  right,  where  the  heaviest  firing  came  from,  in 
order  to  ascertain  the  precise  locality  of  the  main  body  of  the 
rebels.  Captain  Breyfogle  was  the  oflicer  to  send  on  such  a 
duty,  for  I  do  not  know  a  braver  or  better  one.  Two  compa- 
nies of  the  7tl,i  Illinois  also  promptly  advanced  to  scour  the 
woods,  and,  at  the  same  time  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy's  posi- 
tion, and  compete  with  the  9th  0.  V.  C.  in  fighting  qualities. 
"  Vive  le  gentilhommeP 

G  company  was  sent  to  guard  the  road  a  half  mile  distant 
from  the  main  body,  and  remained  until  the  second  battalion, 
Major  Williamson,  was  sent  to  the  left  for  the  purpose  of  right 
and  left  flanking  the  rebel  force,  as  well  as  to  keep  a  rearguard 
to  intercept  and  capture  all  the  chivalry  who  asserted,  some 
time  since,  that  "  it  would  take  five  Yankees  to  light  one  Con- 
federate." 

Company  I,  Lieutenant  Cole,  advanced  to  the  river,  led  by 
Colonel  Hamilton,  to  prevent  the  rebels  crossing  the  Tennessee 
and  escaping;  but  to  our  grief  he  was  too  late,  as  a  number  of 
large  flatboats  tiiey  had  there  carried  them  over  to  an  island, 
near  the  south  bank,  lives  minutes  before  he  arrived.  There 
the  rebels  must  be  in  force,  as  a  large  number  of  cannons  are 
planted  there,  and  several  balls  and  shells  were  lired  at  us  very 
rapidly.  We  captured  several  of  the  rebels  before  they  escaped, 
however,  and  taught  them  that  the  Yankees,  as  they  term  aj.1 
Federal  soldiers,  can  light  when  southerners  dare  not. 

Our  regiment  lost  one  man  killed.  Private  Mellone,  of  I  com- 
pany. Several  horses  were  killed,  and  others  so  badly  wounded 
that  they  were  abandoned  as  no  longer  serviceable.  A\  c  are 
all  sorry  that  any  delay  occurred  on  ou-r  part,  permitting  the 
safe  retreat  of  the  enemy.  At  ^  V.  M.  we  rested  at  a  planter's 
house  for  dinncr.l, 


92         HUMEROUS  ADVENTUKE8  OF  A  VOLUNTEEE. 

May  15. — Started  at  ^:30  P.  M.  for  riorcnce,  and  crossed 
througli  some  cornfields  six  miles  I'rom  lliat  place,  as  we  heard 
from  scouts  that  a  strong  rebel  force  was  ambushed  on  our  left 
in  the  woods. 

May  IG. — Heard  firing  by  onr  skirmishers  at  8:30  A.  M., 
and,  advancing  near  the  woods,  formed  a  line,  expecting  a 
battle.  No  rebs  appearing,  and  onr  scouts  not  finding  ai.y,  we 
started  slowly  again,  and,  at  11  A.  M.,  entered  Florence,  from 
W'hich  place  twelve  hundred  rebels  had  fled  iDrecipitately  the 
night  before. 

The  news  of  onr  approach  reached  them  throngh  contempt- 
ible citizens,  who  pretend  Unionism  to  ns  yet  are  not  believed 
in  any  of  their  assertions. 

Three  deserters  from  lihoddy  came  in  here  and  gladly  gave 
themselves  up  to  us.  They  are  Tennesseeans,  and  desire  once 
more  to  see  their  deserted  homes.  Florence  is  a  nicely  located 
town,  with  beautiful  residences,  and — I  w-on't  say — handsome 
feminincs.  I  sent  the  Times  a  full  account  of  this  expedition 
and  its  results.  Stayed  over  night  at  Cypress  creek,  three 
miles  from  Florence. 

May  IG. — Scoured  all  the  neighborhood,  including  Peters's 
plantation,  where  Rhoddy  captured  a  portion  of  G  company, 
April  13th.  Crossed  shoal  creek,  near  which  small  stream  w^e. 
camped. 

May  17. — Heard  firing-  by  rebel  scouts  at  some  distance,  but 
soon  discovered  that,  as  soon  as  they  fired,  these  military  he- 
roes skedaddled,  getting  beyond  our  reach,  fortunately  for 
them. 

Left  Florence  for  Athens  at  10  A.  M.  Marched  twelve  miles 
and  rested.  It  is  very  warm  here.  It  is  too  hot  for  horseflesh, 
let  alone  humanity. 

An  ofilcer  is  under  arrest,  I  hear,  for  cowardice  shown  in  a 
picket  fight  this  morning.  He  is  said  to  have  run  away  when 
he  heard  three  shots  fired,  leaving  the  guards  to  defend  them- 
selves, and  fight  under  their  own  orders.  I  hope  the  above  is 
untrue,  as  I  never  thought  this  of  our  ranking  first  lieutenant. 
Sergeant  Hedges,  of  K  company,  was  wounded  by  these  bush- 
whackers who  fired  at  our  guard  and  then  fled. 


HUMEEOUS  AdvENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.         93 

A  Confederate  soldier,  who  gladly  surrendered  here,  related 
a  portion  of  bis  family  history  with  tears  in  his  eyes.  It  is  as 
follows: 

"  I  am  the  only  surviving  son  of  a  poor  father,  who  was  a 
farmer  in  good  circumstances  when  the  war  broke  out,  but  was 
stricken  with  poverty  soon  afterward.  Having  three  sons  he 
needed  to  hire  no  help  in  raising  his  crops  of  corn  and  cotton, 
and  very  easily  sold  all  his  family  did  not  need,  to  good  pur- 
chasers, for  gold  and  silver.  Sliortly  after  the  war  commenced 
my  two  brothers,  much  against  their  own  and  my  father's  will, 
were  forced  into  the  Confederate  infantry.  Father  gave  all  the 
mono}"^  he  possessed,  to  the  provost  marshal  of  his  district,  to 
buy  them  out  of  the  service.  All  to  no  avail.  He  could  not 
obtain  their  release,  but  lost  all  his  money,  because  the  provost 
marshal  would  not  return  it,  saying  that  it  was  given  to  support 
the  Confederate  government. 

"  My  tv/o  poor  brothers,  John  and  James  Oakley,  were  killed 
near  Corinth,  while  they  were  under  General  Cheatham ;  and 
father  sold  out  the  best  part  of  his  farm,  to  bring  their  bodies 
back  home  and  bury  them  opposite  our  front  door.  This  money 
he  lost  too,  as  it  was  inhumanly  taken  from  him  by  an  officer, 
who  said  the  bodies  were  of  no  further  earthly  use,  and  the 
money  was  of  more  value  to  the  army  than  the  men  would  be 
if  yet  living.  This  stroke  affected  my  poor  father's  senses  so 
much  that  he  never  had  a  sound  mind  again  until  the  day  he 
died,  nearly  two  years  ago ;  when  he  called  me  to  him,  and 
said  : 

'"Edv/ard,  my  poor,  suflering  son,  I  called  you  here  now, 
not  only  because  I  am  sure  this  will  be  our  last  conversation  on 
this  eaith,  but  because  I  wish  to  tell  you  what  will  be  beneficial 
to  you  ever  afterward.  You  do  n't  know,  Edward,  that  I  leave 
you  nothing  now  to  depend  upon  for  a  living.  Yet  so  it  is. 
All  my  remaining  property  is  mortgaged  to  a  man  from  whom 
I  have  begged  support  this  last  year.  Ho  only  sent  me  one 
bushel  of  corn  meal  and  four  pounds  of  salt  meat  each  month, 
but  for  that  he  charged  me  at  the  rate  of  twenty-live  dolhira 
per  month.  For  this  he  now  claims  all  that  we  possess.  How 
a  young  boy  of  fifteen,  like  you^  with  no  relative  near  him  on 


^t  nUMEROrS  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

\\-liom  he  can  depend,  is  to  live  in  tins  bleak  world,  and  stem 
the  tide  of  adversity,  I  can  not  say.  But  I  advise  yon,  my  son, 
if  ever  you  get  to  Knoxville,  and  see  Parson  Brownlow,  to  in- 
form him  of  it  all,  and  tell  him  it  was   by  my  advice   you   did 

so.'  ': 

"  Saying  this  my  poor  father  died,  and  I  was  left  alone  in  the 
world.  After  being  two  days  and  nights  without  a  mouthful 
to  eat  or  a  shelter  to  cover  me,  I  was  picked  up  in  a  famishing 
condition,  close  to  our  old  barn,  by  a  squad  of  Confederate  sol- 
diers, who  forced  me  to  enlist.  I  refused  this  in  the  first  place, 
wlien  they  tied  me  up  to  a  tree,  took  aim  at  me  by  order  of 
the  officer  commanding  them,  and  then,  through  fear  of  death, 
I  enlisted." 

Edward  Oakley  was  paroled  and  set  at  liberty. 

Camped  twelve  miles  from  Florence  on  the  Athens  road,  and 
I  was  there  appointed  officer  of  the  guard.  Remained  at  ene 
of  the  front  posts  until  11  P.  M.,  when  I  was  ordered  to  return 
to  the  regiment,  and  bring  the  f:ciiaJ'ds  with  me,  as  the  9th  Ohio 
cavalry  was  moving  on  toward  Athens.  Obeyed  orders,  and  in 
doing  so  very  narrowly  escaped  death,  as  some  of  the  pickets 
I  was  seeking  thought  me  a  rebel  soldier,  and,  but  for  Sergeant 
Farnham,  of  E  company,  they  would  certainly  have  forever 
stopped  my  forward  movements  on  this  earth,  as  they  all  took 
aim  at  me  previous  to  my  seeing  them. 

May  18. — Crossed  Elk  river  at  11  o'clock  A.  M.  This  stream 
is  four  feet  deep,  half  a  mile  wide,  and  is  rather  hard  to  cross, 
as  there  is  a  strong  current  to  contend  with.  All  our  regiment 
came  over  safely.  Arrived  at  Athens  at  G  o'clock  P.  M.,  having 
lost  not  a  single  G  compau}^  man  throughout  this  entire  expe- 
dition. 

May  19. — Left  Athens  for  Decatur  at  7  A.  M.,  and  passing 
through  swampy  roads,  arrived  at  Decatur  at  3  P.  M.  There 
is  a  line  government  ])lantation  four  miles  this  side  of  Decatur, 
which  is  filled  Avith  negroes  of  every  age,  who  seem  healthy, 
well  fed,  and  proud  of  having  t])e  blessings  of  freedom  as  well 
they  may  be. 

May  20.— Left  Decatur  at  0  o'clock  A.  M.  for  our  new  sta- 
tion, which  is  asmall  village  at  a  railroad  junction,  about  three 


nUMEROUS    ADVENTUEE3    OF   A  VOLUNTEER.  95 

miles  from  Decatur.     Our  dut}^  there  will  be  to  guard  the  rail- 
road. 

Two  thirds  of  the  town  of  Decatur  had  been  destroyed  by 
gunbo;  ts  previous  to  our  arrival ;  and  taking  into  consideration 
the  fact  tint  the  destroyed  houses  were  occupied  by  rebel 
nuisances  at  that  time  I  think  it  was  only  right  to  punish  by 
batteries  felling  the  houses  which  sheltered  such  beings.  The 
Oth  O.  V.  C.  lias  an  excellent  name  here.  They  have  shown 
themselves  fighting  men,  and  are  M^orthy  of  applause  frorii  all 
men  in  favor  of  ending  this  ignominious  civil  war ;  and  prov- 
ing Ohio  can  show  features  of  bravery  in  every  regiment  that 
has  3'ct  been  sent  out  by  that  noble  State.  Gloria  ad  O  Re- 
mit si 

May  21. — Moved  our  camp  to  Mooresville,  Alabama,  which 
we  find  is  a  very  pleasant  looking  village,  seven  miles  from 
Decatur. 

May  22. — Officers'  call  was  sounded  at  7  A.  M.,  by  the  regi- 
mental bugler,  James  Doran,  and  after  we  were  all  seated,  the 
colonel  spoke  of  what  happened  at  Mills's  point,  five  or  six 
days  since,  when  a  certain  ofllcer  left  his  post  and  galloped  to 
camp,  instead  of  sending  a  sergeant,  as  he  should  have  done, 
to  give  information  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  It  is  a 
great  disaster  when  any  officer  purposely  fails  to  discharge  his 
duty. 

"  Every  guard  officer's  duty  is  to  make  tlie  grand  rounds 
twice  or  three  times  each  night,  and  see  that  every  sentinel  is 
in  his  proper  place,"  said  the  colonel,  "and  see  that  all  his  or- 
ders are  strictly  obeyed.  If  this  is  not  adhered  to  men  will 
become  demoralized  by  thinking  their  commanding  officers  ig- 
norant of  military  duties,  and  unlit  to  command  their  obedience 
to  proper  orders." 

This  was  a  reprimand  to  the  repentant  officer  I  spoke  of  be- 
fore, and  he  was  tiicn  and  there  fully  pardoned  for  his  first  of- 
fense. 

We  are  favored  with  a  band  of  good  musicians,  wdio  lay 
their  musical  instruments  aside  when  the  regiment  goes  out  on 
a  foraging  expedition,  a  raid,  a  scout,  or  any  other  duty,  arm 
themselves  with  carbines  and  sabres,  and  partake  of  all  impend- 


96  HDMEROus  advp:ntures  of  a  volunteer. 

ino-  danger  with  as  much  spirit  as  any  brave  soldier.     Hurrah 
fur  sucii  a  bands. 

M<ty  26. — The  seventeenth  army  corps,  commanded  by  Ma- 
jor General  F.  P.  Bhiir,  jr.,  passed  through  Mooresville  to  day. 
The  lirst,  second  and  third  brigades  are  respectively  commanded 
by  Brigadier  Generals  Force,  Gresham,  and  Malloy.  The  -iOth, 
CSth,  and  78th  Ohio  infantry,  and  the  1st,  3d,  and  4th  Ohio 
cavalry  are  in  this  corps.  They  marched  to  Decatur,  Alabama, 
whore  the  ITth  New  York  Zouaves  are  now  stationed.  These 
Zouaves  had  a  heavy  fight  with  a  strong  rebel  force,  seven  miles 
south  of  Decatur,  to-day,  killing  fifteen,  wounding  twenty- 
eight,  and  capturing  thirty- seven  secesh  soldiers,  and  taking 
the  secesh  camp,  seventeen  army  wagons,  and  several  stragglers 
who,  unlilte  the  balance  of  Rhoddy's  men  who  were  engaged 
here,  did  not  leave  on  the  double  quick.  The  ITth  Zouaves 
had  to  fall  back  in  the  early  part  of  the  day,  but  being  rein- 
forced by  the  3d  Ohio  cavalry,  they  drove  the  Johnnies  pell* 
mell,  and  would  have  taken  them  all  if  the  place  had  been  less 
swam.py.  and  not  so  much  covered  with  a  thick  undergrowth  of 
what  may  be  termed  screening  trees,  which  secure  a  safe  re- 
treat to  all  forces  that  are  falling  back  to  seek  safety  for  them- 
selves. 

3fay  27. — Soluiion  of  a  mystery.  I  have  discovered  to  day 
several  plotters,  and  lay  them  aside  as  fellows  not  worth  notic- 
ing. These  thoughts  came  to  me,  and  I  abide  by  them.  Those 
who  slowly  and  gradualy  rise  to  those  positions  wliich  they 
are  worthy  to  fill,  like  good  rivers  in  spring  and  autumn,  leave 
behind  them  a  sediment,  which,  on  slowly  retiring,  convert  a 
region,  which  would  otherwise,  have  been  a  desert,  into  a  gar- 
den of  the  world. 

We  have,  fortunately,  one  of  the  most  efficient,  worthy  regi- 
mental surgeons  in  the  service.  Major  Finch,  of  whom  1  speak, 
attends  to  every  sick  call,  and  causes  every  member  of  this 
regiment  to  regard  his  health  by  cleanliness,  adopting  a  proper 
manner  of  cooking,  and  eating  only  what  is  nutricious  and 
what  is  easy  of  digestion.  Such  a  surgeon  as  the  major,  de- 
serves, and  1  hope  will  soon  obtain,  his  reward  by  a  merited 
promotion. 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  97 

May  29. — To-day  a  man  named  Conway,  who  belongs  to  Al- 
abama, and  M'as  forcibly  conscripted  by  the  rebel  General 
Rhodd}'",  took  the  favorable  chance  offered  him  by  our  pickets, 
and  escaped  to  us  by  crossing  the  Tennessee  river  in  a  canoe. 
lie  says  General  Rhoddy's  brigade,  3,000  strong,  escaped  to 
join  General  Joe.  Johnston,  through  intelligence  received  from 
certain  southern  chivalric  citizens  who  very  plainly  show  their 
duplicity  whenever  a  favorable  opportunity  offers  itself  to 
them. 

j\Iay  30. — A  planter  named  Gamble,  residing  one  mile  south 
of  Mooresville,  lost  a  fine  gray  horse  to-day,  by  low  means,  as 
the  fellow  who  took  it  was  a  native  of  the  State  of  Alal>ania, 
like  Mr.  Gamble.  The  rascal  not  only  took  this  horse,  but  also 
took  a  good  mule  from  a  widow  neighbor  of  Mr.  Gamble,  and 
said  he  belonged  to  the  9th  Ohio  cavalry.  As  I  was  the  officer 
of  the  day,  Mr.  Gamble  informed  me  of  this,  and  I  rude  with 
him  in  his  buggy,  chasing  the  scamp  closely  to  Decatur,  where 
we  learned  he  had  taken  a  by-road  to  Limestone,  fourteen 
miles  distant,  which  we  made  in  one  hour,  but  too  late  to  catch 
him  as  he  crossed  the  creek  on  horseback  and  hid  in  the  woods 
beyond.  The  perpetrator  of  this  daring  offence  was  a  well 
known  rebel  spy. 

Eeturning  to  camp  we  stopped  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Ilurte  for 
a  drink  of  water,  which  Mr.  Ilurte  brought  out  to  us,  and  spoke 
kindly,  bidding  us  good  day,  when  his  v.'ife,  Mrs.  Ilurte,  a  wo- 
man of  a  very  bad  temper,  came  out,  caught  him  by  the  arm, 
and  said : 

"You  always  make  free  with  every  Yankee  dog  you  meet; 
the  filthy  pups.  Will  you  never  know  a  gentleman's  feelings 
toward  such  curs?  Come  in  the  house  here,  or  I  will  leave  it 
forever." 

This  is  only  part  of  the  vile  language  she  made  use  of  forno 
reason  whatever.  She  showed  her  authority  by  her  'husband 
quickly  obeying  her  orders.  Thus  it  is  with  some  husbands. 
They,  oftentimes  to  their  sorrow,  are  led  to  many  a  low  and 
vicious  belief,  through  the  foolishly  false  statements  and 
wicked  misrepresentations,  combined  with  fear,  of  their  letter 
halves. 

7 


9'8         HUMOROUS  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

There's  fun  in  love,  they  say,  on  mounted  steeds, 

And  fost  skeduddlhig  done  on  hunting  tours-, 

If  love  comes  forth  to  burnish  ancient  beads. 

Then  quick  recruiting  calls  skedaddlers  yours. 

All  truth  dissembling,  couching  like  a  slave 

We  bend  to  truth  though  thistles  fill  our  grave. 

This  then  is  it — a  cruel  jest  has  sprung 

'Tween  Jack,  the  groom,  and  Chieftain  Bully  Young. 

The  latterspeaks;  the  former  must  obey 

Though  want  proclaims  a  loss  in  oats  and  hay. 

"Step  out,"  says  Bull,  "there's  crust,  though  but  in  crumbs. 

For  all  my  steeds  with  devastating  gums. 

See  appetites  in  tune  with  joyous  glee; 

Fall  in,  then,  Jackass,  and  kick  not  at  me. 

These  beasts  of  burden,  then,  of  thine  are  full. 

So,  Jackass,  kick;  you  're  fighting  'gainst  a  Bull." 

Let  truth,  like  love,  here  list  to  live  or  die. 

And  pity  fools  a  knave  can  sell  or  buy. 

June  1,  186-i. — This  day  opens  a  new  month,  and  the  men 
hope  it  opens  the  door  to  paymasters,  who  have  been  looked 
for  anxiously,  but  have  not  yet  made  their  appearance.  This 
morning  it  was  rumored  that  they  were  expected,  and  the  men 
felt  very  happy  over  this  good  news,  as  a  number  of  them  have 
families  at  home  who  need  money  for  their  support.  At  din- 
ner, wliere  a  crowd  was  together,  Charles  Hanna  humorously 
said: 

"Bo3'S,  since  a  Brvwn  individual  entered  Virginia  some 
years  back,  to  better  his  color ^  and  charm  all  raven  lined  friends,^ 
north  and  south,  why  are  persons  of  all  shades,  white  or  black, 
anxious  to  retain  any  number  of  green  backs,  which  visit  them 
as  note(\  prisoners  of  war  ?" 

The  only  answer  was  : 

"Summer  is  close  by,  so  we  welcome  our  colored  visitors 
because  that  would  be  like  the  colored  question  I  would  ask, 
which  is:  Why  is  colored  burying  supposed  to  be  coming  on 
extensively  now-a-days?" 

"  Because  black  berries  are  becoming  prominent  and  lead  to 
jams." 

"  Thinking  of  our  folks  at  home,"  said  another,  "reminds  me 
of  a  late  conundrum,  which  is:  '  Why  should  a  wife  be  like  a 
roasted  lamb,  teuder  and  nicely  dressed?'     To  which  1  should 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  99 

answer:  Ladies  are  juicy  whenever  they  .meet  a  wooly  head, 
limbless  and  jarring/' 

Here  a  son  of  the  Emerald  Isle  said.: 

"  Now  thin,  byes,  since  yez  are  axing  questions  among  je^ 
here's  one.  AVot  faj^male  ship  is  like  a  manly' soger ?  Kin 
nun  of  yez  tell  me  ?  Well  thin,  the  rayson  a  good  fayraale 
ship  is  like  a  manly  soger  is  becase  they  are  both  of  them  brig- 
a-dears," 

This  called  out  the  following  as  a  response  to  the  Emerald- 
er's : 

"  Why  arc  our  soldiers,  in  some  positions,  supposed  to  be 
all  Irishmen  ?  D'  ye  give  it  ^up  ?  Because  we  take  our  turns 
in  Pat-rolling.'''' 

"  Now,"  asked  another,  "  what  mechanic  is  supposed  to  be 
tlie  most  holy  in  his  daily  actions  ?" 

"A  boiler  n.iaker,  since  he  punches  in  holes  more  than  any 
mechanic  I  know,"  answered  a  Cincinnatian.  Another  mem- 
ber of  G  company,  after  fully  enjoying  this,  asked  the  last 
yarn  heaver: 

"  What  is  meat  in  found-ry(e)  fields  near  Porkopolis,  now-a- 
days  V 

Receiving  no  satisfactory  answer  the  questioner  himself  re- 
plied: 

"A  Aam-mer,  of  course." 

June  4. — Being  officer  of  the  guard  to-day,  I  found  the  guards 
well  stationed,  and  on  the  alert;  consequently  there  is  no  dan- 
ger of  a  secret  rebel  advance,  similar  to  the  Shiloh  affair.  As 
I  was  returning  to  camp  from  the  posts,  it  commenced  to  rain 
heavily,  to  escape  which  I  dismounted,  tied  my  horse  to  the 
limb  of  a  large  shady  tree,  and  sat  down  to  await  a  lull  of  the 
storm.  Ere  the  rain  ceased  to  wet  Mother  Earth,  two  members 
of  the  9th  Ohio  cavalry  came  near  me,  and  sat  down  without 
seeing  me  ;  one  to  finish,  the  other  to  listen  to,  the  following 
story : 

"  Yes,  she  of  whom  I  was  telling  j'^ou  was  a  very  handsome 
girl ;  while  the  railroad  clerk  was  a  passably  good  looking  man. 
She,  as  I  told  you,  used  to  pass  by  the  office  he  was  engage'd 
in  very  frequently,  as  she  lived  not  far  off.     She  always  walked 


100        HUMOKOUS  ADVENTUKES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEK. 

slowlj  and  loolred  in  ns  she  passed,  in  order,  I  suppose  to  ob- 
tain a  glance  at  the  clerk,  whom  she  seemed  to  admire.  The 
clerk  was  kept  pretty  busy,  and  generally  had  his  back  toward 
the, front  entrance,  and  consequently  did  not,  at  first,  notice  the 
young  lady.  One  day,  however,  made  a  vast  difference  in  the 
programme,  for  it  being  very  cold  in  winter,  the  young  damsel, 
when  just  in  front  of  the  office,  slipped  on  the  icy  pavement, 
and  would  have  fallen  but  the  clerk,  seeing  her,  rushed  out  and 
caught  her  by  the  waist  ere  she  fell  down.  From  that  day  he 
became  intimately  acquainted — in  fact,  since  then  he  has  not 
shown  a  waste  of  time,  although  the  young  lady  was  ivaisted 
by  the  manly  hero  of  this  new  pair  of  slippersy 

Seeing  me,  after  this  story  was  finished,  they  left  for  camp, 
and  then  I  thought : 

Since  love  it;  is  of  ivy  green. 

Sweet  innocence  the  flower; 

And  ev'ry  youth  soon  seeks  the  screen 

And  wanders  through  the  bower; 

Oh,  let  the  arbor  turn  its  hue. 

And  sleeping  flowers  dally, 

No  golden  roses  turning  blue 

Shall  green  be,  like  our  Sallie- 

Jime  7. — This  is  the  hottest  day  felt  by  many  of  us  this  year, 
and  it  compels  an  idle  person  to  sweat  as  indiscriminately  as 
one  at  hard  labor.  The  heat  reminds  me  of  a  conundrum  pro- 
pounded, nearly  a  year  ago,  by  a  friend  of  mine  who  perspired 
freely  while  "popping  the  corn."  The  question  was  as  fol- 
lows : 

"  Why  is  a  non-breezy  discourse  at  bed  time  now  like  a  ban- 
ner?" 

The  answer,  which  was  followed  by  a  full  chorus  of  sleepy 
snores,  was: 

"  Because  it  soon  begins  to  fla<r." 

Captain  Breyfogle,  of  E  company  went  to  Decatur  this  morn- 
ing to  escort  the  paymaster  up  here,  but  the  captain  returned 
with  the  very  important  information  that  veterans  only,  and  not 
raw  recruits,  are  entitled  to  bounty.  This  renders  it  necessary 
for  every  company  officer  to  make  out  new  pay  rolls,  except 


HUMOEOUS  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  YOLUNTEEE.        101 

G  company,  whose  rolls  are,  like  its  deportment,  correct,  I  am 
proud  to  say. 

June  9. — Days  pass  here  with  remarkable  similarity,  consid- 
ering- the  war  times,  and  we  all  think  it  is  occasioned  by  rebel 
fear  of  the  9th  Ohio  cavalry,  which  creates  much  lassitude  on 
our  side.  On  this  account  I  can  only  imagine  the  correctness 
of  the  French  bull,  painted  over  the  gate  of  a  cemetery  in  the 
land  of  wine  and  frogs: 

"/ci  on  ii'enterre  que  les  morts  qui  vivent  dans  la  commune." 
(Here  we  inter  only  the  dead  who  live  in  the  parish.) 

June  10. — Major  AV.  P.  Stoms,  the  paymaster,  arrived  here 
yesterday  evening,  and  paid  the  men  four  months,  including 
April  30,  1864. 

June  11. — Last  night  we  were  ordered  to  Decatur  and  the 
second  battalion  left  Mooresville  at  11  P.  M.,  arriving  at  Deca- 
tur at  2  this  A.  M.  Left  Decatur  at  -1  A.  M.  for  a  place  twenty 
miles  distant  where  Ehoddy  was  stationed,  but  he,  having  heard 
of  our  movements  towards  him,  left  for  some  other  point.  After 
thoroughly  searching  the  woods,  swamps,  and  open  plains,  all 
of  which  proved  of  no  avail,  we  returned  to  Mooresville,  where 
we  found  the  73d  Indiana  veteran  infantry  camped  a  hundred 
yards  from  us. 

June  V2. — ^The  second  battalion  is  ordered  to  Athens  again. 
Broke  camp  and  started  at  7  o'clock  A.  M.  Met  General  Gran- 
ger's brigade  three  miles  from  Athens,  on  its  way  to  Decatur. 
Samuel  G.  Abstain,  a  noted  scoundrel,  forced  a  soldier's  wife 
last  night,  and  deserted.  If  the  villain  is  caught  he  will  get 
the  punishment  he  deserves. 

.  June  16. — The  7th  Illinois  mounted  infantry  have  been  per- 
manently dismounted,  and  the  9th  O.  V.  C.  is  ordered  to  take 
possession  of  their  well  used  horses.  We  need  the  beasts  very 
much,  as  we  are  continually  on  duty,  and  numbers  of  our  ani- 
mals are  rendered  unserviceable  by  hard  riding.  The  lirst 
battalion,  Major  Sims,  came  from  Pulaski  here  to  get  horses, 
and,  obtaining  the  needed  supplies,  returned,  leaving  our  second 
battalion  to  discharge  all  cavalry  duty  in  this  section  of  the 
country. 

June  17. — A  report  is  brought  to  Major  Williamson,  that  For- 


102        HUMOKOUS  ADVENTUKES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEK. 

est,  with  a  large  body  of  rebels,  is  advancing  direct  to  Athens. 
One  hundred  men  of  our  battalion  have  been  ordered  out  in 
the  direction  vi'hence  Forest  is  reported  to  be  coming,  for  the 
purpose  of  ascertaining  how  reliable  this  intelligence  may  prove 
to  be. 

Jvine  19. — The  one  hundred  men  who  went  to  look  for  For- 
est, reached  Sugar  creek,  thirty-seven  miles  distant,  and  there 
dismounted  and  prepared  to  cook  a  meal  after  their  long  ride. 
Captain  Stough,  their  commander,  was  sitting  on  the  verandah 
of  a  planter's  house,  which  was  on  a  hill  side,  shortly  after  giv- 
ing the  order  to  unsaddle,  when  a  rebel  squad  advanced  and 
called  upon  him  to  surrender.  To  this  he  made  no  answer,  but 
ordered  his  men  to  mount.  Seeing  a  body  of  cavalry  at  hand, 
some  of  whom  had  not  yet  unsaddled,  this  Morgan  squad  of 
rebels  wheeled  their  horses  as  quickly  as  ])ossible,  and  escaped, 
though  chased  through  several  miles  of  intricate  woods  and 
branching  roads.  So  it  is  ;  sometimes  rebels  will  escape  when 
pursued.     In  this  they  are  fortunate. 

Making  the  grand  rounds  to-night  I  lost  my  way  in  the  woods 
and  wandered  around  for  at  least  an  hour,  when  I  discovered 
three  men  near  the  creek,  beyond  our  camp,  and,  thinking  they 
were  some  of  our  cavalrymen,  I  dismounted  and  was  leading 
my  liorse  toward  them,  when  one  of  them  jumped  to  his  feet 
and  angrily  yelled  out : 

"  D — n  you,  you  bugger,  you  can  't  fool  me  that  way.  Come 
on  here,  and  Avhip  me  like  a  dirty  Yank,  if  you  can." 

Seeing  and  hearing  all  this,  I  stepjK'd  behind  some  large 
bushes  which  screened  me  from  their  sight,  and  saw  the  ban- 
tered hero  arise,  throw  part  of  a  deck  of  cards  in  the  stream, 
and  bring  his  musket  to  his  slioulder,  coolly  saying: 

"  Now,  you  jest  say  once  that  I  cheated  ye,  and  durn  ye,  I  'II 
soon  put  an  end  to  yer." 

Here  the  third  man  came  toward  me  as  if  frightened  at  the 
sight  of  the  actions  of  his  comrades.  My  horse  happening  to 
neigh  just  then,  the  man  stopped  short,  and  seeing  him  dressed 
in  rebel  gray,  I  quickly  mounted,  drew  my  sabre,  and  called 
out:  "Come  on  here,  boys;  I  see  a  lot  of  guerrillas.  Charge 
them,  and  see  that  none  escape," 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEE.        103 

Hearing  tbis  order  they  fled  through  the  woods,  thinking,  no 
doubt,  that  a  large  party  of  cavalry  soldiers  were  near,  as  I 
made  all  tlie  noise  I  could  by  rattling  my  sabre  against  the 
scabbard.  Soon  after  this  I  found  one  of  our  posts,  where  the 
men  were  on  the  alert,  carefully  attending  to  their  duties.  The 
guard  said  he  had  heard  noise  off  to  the  right,  but  as  I  came 
from  that  direction  he  supposed  it  was  me.  I  staid  all  night  at 
the  various  posts,  but  saw  or  heard  nothing  more  of  rebel  gu- 
errillas. 

The  Sth  Missouri  Zouaves  passed  through  here  to-day,  on 
their  wa^  home,  their  time  being  out.  This  regiment  was  for- 
merly under  General  Lew.  Wallace,  and  was  in  the  battle  on 
Monday  and  Tuesday,  April  7th  and  8th,  1862,  at  Shiloh. 

Two  rebel  deserters,  belonging  to  Colonel  Malone's  Tth  Ala- 
bama Confederate  cavalry,  came  into  camp  to-day,  guided  by 
two  of  our  pickets.  They  borrowed  horses  from  their  neigh- 
borly acquaintances,  and  rode  to  Major  Williamson's  quarters, 
from  whence  they  were  sent  to  the  post  commander,  Colonel 
Campbell. 

I  placed  a  drunken  fellow,  named  Chap  Davis,  who  is  always 
absent  on  drunken  sprees,  and  insulting  everybody,  in  the  guard 
house  at  Athens,  where,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  he  will  remain 
a  short  time. 

June  22. — A  lieutenant  of  the  2d  Alabama  Confederate  cav- 
alry was  captured  to-day,  twelve  miles  from  Athens.  Ilis  name 
is  Jones.  He  is  a  doctor  who  can  heal  all  diseases,  he  says, 
except  this  civil  disruption,  and  he  would  die  himself  before 
he  would  try  to  cure  it  by  even  an  oath  of  amnesty. 

The  second  battalion  is  ordered  out  to  Elk  river. 

June  23. — We  lel't  camp  at  1  and  arrived  at  Elk  river  at  7 
A.  M.  Thirty  scouts  are  sent  out.  E  company,  now  under 
command  of  Lieutenant  Fechner,  has  gone  in  the  direction  of 
Florence.  Captain  IMcCutcheon  is,  at  present,  in  command  of 
this  battalion,  Major  Williamson  being  sick  at  Athens.  News 
vras  brought  to  Ca{>tain  McCutcheon  at  10  P.  M.  tliat  a  large 
force,  under  Khoddy,  was  at  a  plantation  three  miles  from  us. 
I  was  sent  out  with  seven  men  to  see  if  this  was  true,  but,  after 
thoroughly  searching  all  the  plantations  in  the  reported  neigh- 


104  nUMOKOUS    ADVENTUSES    OF  A    VOLUNTEEE. 

borhood,  was  unable  to  discover  any  signs  of  being  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  a  rebel  camp.  The  fact  is  that  a  darkey  had  told  one 
of  F  company's  scouts  that  three  thousand  of  llhoddy's  men 
had  crossed  the  Tennessee  liver  in  a  canoe.  We  soon  found  this 
report  perfectly  true — so  far  as  the  size  of  the  vessel  used  as  a 
transport  was  concerned. 

June  23. — Reached  camp,  after  my  fruitless  search  forRhod- 
dy,  at  6  A.  M. 

Jum  25. — E  company  returned  from  Florence  at  10  A.  M., 
bringing  several  prisoners  with  them,  one  of  whom  was  in 
possession  of  thousands  of  dollars  of  Confederate  alid  United. 
States  bank  notes. 

June  27. — I  am  ordered  out  to  Lamb's  ferry  with  a  squad  of 
twelve  men,  and  arrived  there  in  live  hours.  There  was  a  tea 
party  at  Weaver's  plantation,  three  miles  from  the  ferry,  this 
evening,  on  passing  which  we  saw  thirteen  females  of  strong 
secesh  sympathies,  waiting  for  their  male  friends,  who  failed  to 
come  to  them  at  the  appointed  time,  because  the  Yanks  were 
near  at  hand,  and  fear  swept  love  away  and  kept  the  male  geese 
and.  female  ducks  apart. 

There  was  loud  talk  among  these  fair  maidens  as  we  passed, 
one  of  them  saying: 

"  Who  asked  these  durned  Yanks  to  come  here.  They  ain't 
worth  minding,  and  never  will  be,"  and  much  more  of  the  same 
kind. 

June  28.— Returned  to  camp  at  3  A.  M.,  and  am  again  or- 
dered out,  with  eight  men,  to  patrol  from  Rogcrsville  to  Bain- 
bridge  ferry,  forty- h've  miles  from  Athens,  and  thirty  miles  from 
Elk  river.  This  is  tlie  ferry  the  rebels  use  in  carrying  forage 
to  Rhoddy's  brigade,  and  near  which  a  rebel  wagon  train  is 
reported  to  be,  and  1  am  sent  out  to  ca})tnre  it.  Sergeant 
Oviett,  of  F  company,  is  ordered  by  Captain  McCutchcon  to 
cooperate  with  me,  lie  having  twelve  men.  I  advanced  with 
my  small  squad  to  Phillip's  plantation,  fourteen  miles  from  our 
camp. 

June  21), — Sergeant  Oviett  having  failed  to  report  at  1  A.  M., 
I  advanced  with  my  small  squad,  intending  to  do  all  in  my 
power  to  capture  the  train,  and  also  report  this  bravo  sergeant 


HUMOKOUS  ADYENTUKES  OF  A  TOLUNTEER,         105 

• 

who  purposely  failed  to  report  to  me,  althongh  ordered  to  do 
so,  as  above  mentioned.  We  left  Rogersville  at  1  o'clock 
P.M. 

June  30. — Arrived  at  Bainbridge  ferry  at  G  o'clock  A.  M. 
but  were  one  hour  too  late,  as  a  rebel  wagon  train  crossed  at  5 
o'clock.  Captured  I.  Wise,  Tompkins,  and  Showier ;  shot  one 
rebel  cavalryman  who  was  endeavoring  to  escape  by  swimming 
his  horse  across  the  Tennessee  river :  destroyed  five  boats  kept 
here  for  rebel  use,  and  started  back  to  Rogersville  at  10  o'clock 
A.M. 

Our  horses  being  much  in  need  of  feed,  we  stopped  at  the 
house  of  Mrs.  Barre,  eight  miles  from  the  ferry,  where,  by  pay- 
ing rations  of  coffee  and  sugar,  the  men  liad  dinner  cooked  for 
them  b}''  Mrs.  Barre  and  her  two  handsome  sisters-in  law,  who 
reside  with  her,  and  who  seemed  anxious  to  please  us  Yankees. 
Mrs.  Barre's  husband  belonged  to  the  rebel  army  until  he  was 
captured,  a  year  ago,  near  Stevenson,  Alabama.  Mrs.  Barre 
and  her  sisters  in-law  are  very  much  opposed  to  this  war,  and 
have  procured  protection  papers  from  General  Dodge,  which 
they  certainly  deserve.  The  sisters-in-law  both  say  they  would 
as  soon  have  a  good  live  Yankee  for  a  husband  as  "  an}'  other 
man." 

Moved  on  at'  3'  P,  M.  and  stopped  again  at  Jack  Phillips's 
plantation,  where  we  fed  our  horses.  Mr.  Phillips  is  a  strong 
southern  man,  but  he  is  much  opposed,  he  says,  to  this  war, 
as  it  not  only  injures  American  repute  in  foreign  nations,  but 
it  injures  the  people  here  at  home  to  a  great  extent.  The  rebel 
General  Forest  has  a  great  military  reputation  here.  He  is 
considered  the  cavalry  hero  of  the  age.  So  Mr.  Jack  Phillips 
saj'S. 

Arrived  at  Rogersville  at  9  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  there  found 
Lieutenant  Brown,  of  F  company,  with  nine  men.  His  hcad- 
cpiarters  are  at  the  fine  residence  of  Mr.  Young,  where  he  (Mr. 
Young)  has  two  adojjted  daughters,  tlie  Misses  Jane  and  Sarah. 
These  j'oung  ladies  are  very  polite.  They  are  opposed  to  this 
war  also,  because  they  think  it  will  make  husbands,  "  like  an- 
gels' visits,  few  and  far  between."  "  Wives  will  be  widows  and 
girls  old  maids,"  they  truly  say.     All  female  religion   iu  tho 


106        HUMOEOUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEE. 

South  will  apparenll}'  end  in  Mormonism,  and  every  man  re- 
mainino-  alive  after  the  war  closes  can  take  to  himself  a  batch 
of  wives. 

July  1,  1804.— Left  Eogersville  at  5  o'clock  A.  M.,  for  Elk 
river,  seven  miles  distant,  and  arrived  there  at  8  P.  M.,  to  find 
our,  second  battalion  relieved  by  portions  of  the  2d  and  3d 
Tennessee  cavalry.  This  is  necessary,  as  we  have  been  on  duty 
alone  the  last  fifteen  days.  Arrived  at  Athens,  Alabama,  at  2 
P.M. 

Juh/  4. — This  glorious  day  is  met  with  joy  by  the  9th  O.  V.  C.^ 
and  all  our  men  are  having  "a  feast  of  pleasure  and  a  flow  of 
the  spirit P 

Invited  to  an  officers'  meeting  at  the  Depot  Hotel,  but  could 
not  attend  as  I  was  kept  busy  writing.  There  was  a  fine  speech 
made  there  by  Captain  Stough,  who.  seemed  to  electrify  all  his 
hearers  by  his  unexpected  grandeur  of  oratory  and  the  noble- 
ness with  which  he  expressed  himself. 

July  6. — The  second  battalion  is  ordered  to  Decatur,  and 
has  moved  as  far  out  as  Mooresville,  where  it  is  again  sta- 
tioned. 

Have  heard  charges  made  against  Colonel  Hamilton,  which 
were  read  to  the  ofilcers  by  order  of  Major  Williamson.  They 
amount  to  very  little,  and  make  me  think  ournoble  commander. 
General  Sherman,  observes  too  much  for  any  pretender  to  mil- 
itary merit  to  pass  reconnoisances  in  circles  where  he  holds 
supreme  sway. 

JiiJy  0. — The  whole  regiment  received  orders  to  move  imme- 
diately to  Decatur,  and  join  General  Eousscau,  who  is  there 
with  two  brigades  of  cavalry,  and  two  10-pound  Parrott  guns. 
Arrived  there  at  11  P.  M. 

Juhj  10. — Drew  twelve  days' i-ations  of  cofl'ec  and  sugar,  and 
four  days  rations  of  hard  tack  and  "sow-belly,"  as  salt  pork  is 
called.  Each  man  took  one  hundred  and  twenty  rounds  of 
cartridges.  At  1  P.  M.  the  order  was  given:  "Column!  for- 
ward, march!"  and  we  left  Decatur,  the  9th  Ohio,  2d  Ktutuck}', 
and  4th  Tenucssee  cavalry  forming  the  first  brigade,  commanded 
by  Colonel  Hamilton;  the  second  brigade  was  composed  of 
the  5lh  Iowa,  3d  Tennessee,  and  7th  Indiana  cavalry  regiments, 


,    HUMOKOUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEK.        107 

under  command  of  Colonel  Harrison ;  the  whole  commanded 
by  Major  General  Rousseau.  The  general's  body  guard  was- 
companies  E  and  K,  2d  Kentuck}^  cavalry. 

Marched  twenty  miles  over  a  rock}',  undulating  road,  and 
rested  at  9  P.  M,  Placed  out  picl<ets,  who,  shortly  after  going 
out  to  their  posts  captured  a  squad  of  thirty  three  rebel  scouts, 
wlio  had  come  from  Mumfordsville,  Alabama,  through  the 
darkness,  expecting  to  achieve  great  things  in  the  bushwhack- 
ing line  before  they  returned,  but  found  their  "great  expecta- 
tions" suddenly  disolved  by  their  capture. 

July  11. — Left  Mumfordsville  at  G  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  took 
Somersville.  Ascended  Summit  mountain,  eight  miles  south  of 
Sumersville,  a'nd  captured  a  rebel  chaplain  and  seven  soldiers, 
one  of  whom,  a  red  headed  fellow,  was  about  to  be  married  to 
a  girl  near  here,  and  he  wept  like  a  chi4d  when  we  "tuk"  him. 
In  consequence  of  this  postponement  of  his  marriage  festivi- 
ties, he  showed  his  animosity  toward  us  by  uttering  all  the 
oaths  he  knew.  Such  men  do  not  deserve  virtuous  wives.  We 
passed  a  rebel  camp  soon  after  this,  which  had  tents  for  at  least 
two  thousand  men,  and  which  had  very  recently  been  vacated. 
Encamped  on  another  summit,  ten  miles  distant,  where  we  re- 
mained three  hours. 

July  12. — Started  in  the  rear  of  tlie  1st  Michigan  artillery, 
at  5  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  shortly  afterward  captured  a  rebel  quar- 
termaster, four  wagons,  and  eighteen  men,  near  Bloomingville, 
which  place  we  entered  at  2  o'clock.  This  place*  is  a  county 
seat,  sixty  miles  from  Decatur.  The  -I'Uh  Alabama  infantry  was 
stationed  here,  but  when  they  heard  of  our  near  appi'oach  they 
quickly  skedaddled  and  secreted  themselves  in  the  neighboring 
mountains. 

July  13. — Started  south  again  at  5  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  moved 
rapidly  over  very  rocky,  mountain  roads,  injuring  horses  to 
such  a  degree  that  quite  large  numbejs  of  them  died  every 
hour. 

July  14. — Started  again  at  5  A.  M.,  and  got  into  a  lengtliy 
gap,  near  the  end  of  which  we  stopped  to  rest.  Tlicre  is  one 
Union  woman  along  this  route  so  far,  who  hurrahed  lor  Abo 
Lincoln,  our  patriotic  Union  President,  as  we  passed  her  house. 


108        HUMOROUS  ADVEyXUKES  OF  A  YOLUNTEEE.  •   . 

;    »        4 .«     ,    t  .  /      '     ■  "  ,  t 

Arrived  at  Ashville,  a  luxurious  small  town,  one  hundred  m 
from  Decatur,  at  1  P.  M.     Here  we  took  the  road  to  Montgom- 
ery, which  is  yet  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  miles  distant. 

Jvly  15. — Arrived  at  Greenupsport,  on  the  Coosa  river,  at  6 
A.  M.,  where  E  company,  under  Lieutenant  Fechner,  and  G 
company,  under  Lieutenant  Fanning,  went  out  after  ninety  rebs 
who  were  retreating  that  way;  but  they  were  too  fast  for  us, 
and  all  got  aM'ay,  with  the  exception  of  three  rebel  officers  and 
a  railroad  contractor. 

We  have  crossed  seventeen  mountains  since  we  left  Decatur. 
Like  all  other  mountains  they  aftbrd  excellent  hiding  places 
for  guerrillas,  bushwhackers,  etc.  Shortl}^  after  leaving  this 
place  some  of  these  hiding  soldiers  shot  at  and  killed  a  captain 
and  lieutenant  of  the  5th  Iowa  cavalry,  who  were  in  the  rear 
guarding  a  wagon  train.  Mountains  and  creeks  all  have  simi- 
lar names  here :  There  is  Coosa  river  and  Coosa  mountain, 
Beaver  creek  and  Beaver  mountain,  Summit  creek  and  Summit 
mountain,  etc. 

Left  Blountsville  at  8  A.  M.,  two  miles  in  front  of  which  we 
hear  General  Clantou  is,  with  a  rebel  division.  His  largest 
force  is  across  Coosa  river.  They  are  placed  there  to  thwart 
our  advance,  by  killing,  capturing,  or  wounding,  our  whole 
force,  which  is  one  thousand  seven  hundred  strong. 

"  Let  them  try  it  on,"  as  General  Eousseau  says,  "any  time 
they  please,  and  the  sooner  the  better." 

These  remarks  of  the  bravest,  and  one  of  the  very  best,  mil- 
itary men  in  our  whole  Federal  army,  show  what  kind  of  a  raid- 
ing leader  he  is.  Hurrah  for  Major  General  Kousseau  !  we  all 
say. 

Crossed  Coosa  river  at  0  A.  M.  The  first  brigade  went  to  a 
place  six  miles  east  of  here  to  engage  the  enemy's  attention, 
while  the  second  brigade  crossed  the  river  a  mile  below  here 
in  order  to  flank  the  enemy.  This  we  soon  accomplished,  cap- 
turing two  colonels,  one  major,  three  captains,  and  fifty-seven 
men;  killing  nineteen,  and  wounding  forty. 

Re-crossed  Coosa  river  a  2  P.  M.  This  river  is  very  wide 
here,  being  a  mile  and  a  half  from  bank  to  bank.  It  is  three 
feet  and  a  half  deep,  wilh  a  rapid  current,  and  takes  two  hours 


^\,,«.*     HUMOk5u8   ADVENTURES    OF  A  .VOLUNTEER.  lOfl 

to  cross  it  on  horseback.  Here  we  had  another  fight.  Killed 
Captain  Moore  and  eighteen  of  his  men  ;  wounded  one  lieuten- 
ant colonel  and  two  majors,  and  captured  seventy-three  men, 
whom  we  paroled  as  we  had  no  way  of  carrying  our  prisoners 
along  with  us.  Captain  Moore,  and  nearly  all  our  prisoners, 
belonged  to  the  42d  and  -iOth  Alabama  infantry.  I  found  a 
Masonic  badge  in  the  coat  pocket  of  Captain  Moore,  which  I 
wrapped  up  to  send  to  Governor  Brough,  the  noble,  patriotic 
governor  of  Ohio.  Near  here  we  burned  1,000  bales  of  cotton, 
two  cotton  gins,  and  a  very  large  steam  iron  mill,  the  last  ot 
which  is  on  Cane  river,  six  miles  from  Talladega. 

Captured  Talladega,  a  good  sized  town,  where  the  Gtli  and 
8th  Alabama  infantry  were  stationed  before  our  arrival,  but 
they,  like  other  Confed.  chivalric  heroes,  fled  before  we  entered 
and  escaped  before  we  took  the  place.  There  is  a  large  rebel 
hospital  here,  which  now  contains  1,700  sick  and  wounded  sol- 
diers. Colonel  Wadsworth  and  Major  St.  John  among  the  rest, 
all  of  whom  we  left  here  on  parole.  The  male  denizens  of  the 
town  left  their  female  friends  and  relatives,  who  pretend  to  look 
on  US  Yanks  with  great  favor. 

Departed  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  arrived  at  Martiusbnrg 
at  7  P.  M.,  wdiere  another  rebel  regiment  was  stationed,  but  we 
had  a  long  bridge  to  cross,  and  they  "vamoosed  the  ranch" 
before  we  got  to  them. 

July  16. — We  marched  all  night  last  night.  At  3  o'clock 
this  A.  M.  one  hour's  rest  was  given  us.  At  5  o'clock  we  struck 
the  Selma  railroad,  ten  miles  of  the  track  of  which  we  soon 
destroyed. 

Still  on  the  Mongomcry  road,  which  is  a  rocky,  mountain 
track.  The  climate  produces  thousands  of  lizzards,  snakes  and 
other  poisonous  reptiles,  with  bad  insects  of  all  sorts.  Here 
we  set  two  ants  of  different  colors  fighting.  The  black  one  we 
called  Jeff.  Davis,  the  light' colored  one  Abe  Lincoln.  In  a  few 
minutes  Abe  got  the  better  of  Jeff.,  when  we  again  took  up 
the  line  of  march. 

Near  here  is  the  plantation  of  Mr.  Moore,  where  two  F  com- 
pany boys  stopped  as  we  were  passing  to  obtain  a  canteen  full 
of  drinking  water,  when  Mr,  Moore  come  to  his  gate  and  invited 


RQJDSyiC>VE]SyURES    GFU  VOLrlfTEER.       /W  ^  A  1/ ^ 


10  nuMo RC*»^,^^ . ..^ - ^.^^  ^.  ^., ^^.,.^^^..     „.^«^^ 

them  in  to  dinner.  This  they  could  fiot  accept  without  leave, 
and  told  the  planter  so,  when  he,  seeing  our  battalion  flag  as  it 
then  was  passing  his  door,  wept  bitterly,  and  exclaimed  : 

"Thank  God  !  I  see  once  more  the  glorious  stars  and  stripes 
waving  near  my  door.  This  was  the  idolatry  of  my  former 
days,  and  remains  so  yet.  Father  in  Heaven,  look  with  pity 
upon  deluded  nations  led  astray  by  voracious,  snake-like  leaders. 
Do  so,  I  humbly  pray  you." 

Reached  Tallipoosa  river  at  10  P.  M.,  and  crossed  this  rapid 
running,  wide  stream  at  1  A.  M.  of 

July  l7. — Lost  three  men  and  seven  horses,  by  drowning,  as 
we  were  crossing  the  Tallipoosa.  This  is  the  greatest  raid  we 
ever  heard  of,  in  ancient  or  modern  warfare,  and  is  led  by  a 
general  as  worthy  of  promotion  as  any  other  we  know  who  has 
not  received  it. 

Started  at  3  A.  M.,  arriving  at  Dadesville  in  seven  hours. 
Here  we  rested  one  hour,  and  another  hard  ride  of  seven  hours 
brought  us  to  Logopoca,  which  contains  one  of  the  largest 
depots  on  the  Montgomery  and  Atlanta  railroad.  In  this  depot 
were  stored  thousands  of  barrels  of  flour,  sugar,  any  amount 
of  coflee  in  sacks,  saddles,  bridles,  hard  tack,  and  all  the  other 
necessary  articles  of  war.  These  Ave  soon  destroyed,  burning 
the  depot  with  all  its  contents,  and  then  went  to  work  at  the 
railroad,  which  we  demolished  for  twenty-eight  miles,  burning 
nine  cotton  gins  as  we  slowly  moved  along.  Logopoca  should 
have  been  defended  to  the  last  by  the  rebel  soldiers,  containing 
as  it  did  the  largest  amount  of  cjuarterraaster  and  commissary 
stores  any  of  us  ever  saw  gathered  at  any  depot.  The  sky  is 
well  illuminated  by  fire  just  now. 

July  IS.— Left  Logopoca  at  6  A.  M.  Two  hundred  bush- 
whackers moved  into  tlie  town  after  we  left,  thinking  us  out  of 
sight  and  hearing.  But  they  soon  discovered  their  mistake,  as 
the  nth  O.  V.  C.  was  onlj  a  mile  distant,  tearing  up  the  railroad 
track,  when  we  received  news  of  their  movement.  Quickly 
forming  in  line,  we  charged  upon  them,  when  they  fled  indis- 
criminately, only  llnding  safety  in  the  speed  of  their  horses 
while  being  pursued  by  our  worn  out  animals. 

David  tJerrouse,  acting  quartermaster  sergeant  of  G  company, 


HUMOROUS  ALTENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.        Ill 

led,  by  my  orders,  seven  skirmisliers  of  this  company  toward 
General  Clanton's  force.  The  rebels  being  in  the  woods,  my 
skirmisliers  were  allowed  to  come  within  a  hundred  yards  of 
ihem  before  they  fired.  The  skirmishers  quickly  returned  the 
volley,  killing  one  and  wounding  another  of  General  Clanton's 
staff  officers.  David  Gerrouse  received  a  slight  ilesh  wound 
in  the  upper  part  of  the  arm,  which  was  all  the  calamity  that 
happened  to  my  skirmishers.  The  rebels  fled  after  this,  and 
we  returned  and  destroyed  ten  miles  more  of  the  Montgomery 
and  Atlanta  railroad. 

After  accomplishing  all  our  railroad  work,  we  went  out  the 
Marietta  turnpike  and  took  Auburn,  driving  Clanton  and  his 
forces  into  the  woods  again.  Mr.  Saunders,  formerly  a  member 
of  the  State  legislature,  lives  here.  He  spoke  highly  of  our 
valor,  and  told  me  he  had  opposed  this  war  from  tlie  first,  by 
making  a  speech  to  that  effect  at  its  beginning,  in  Montgomery, 
Alabama.  How  true  this  is  I  do  not  know,  but  he  seemed  to 
tell  truth,  and  feel  it  too,  at  this  time.  Ho  accepted  and  thanked 
us  for  a  broken  down  horse  we  gave  him. 

Jidy  18. — The  second'brigade,  while  we  were  destroj'ing  the 
railroad,  moved  to  our  left,  where  a  rebel  brigade  was  posted, 
and  cliarged  them,  killing  sixteen,  wounding  twenty,  and  cap- 
turing two  hundred  and  eighty,  whom  General  Rousseau  pa- 
roled, like  all  the  'other  prisoners,  because  he  could  not  cany 
them  safely  along  with  us. 

July  19. — Left  Auburn  at  4  o'clock  A.  M.,  thankful  for  this 
first  night's  rest  since  we  left  Decatur,  on  this  famons  Rousseau 
raid.  Five  hours'  marching  brought  us  to  Opelika,  between 
which  place  and  Auburn  we  destroyed  all  the  railroad,  The 
large  depot  here  was  also  filled  with  commissary  and  quarter- 
master stores  to  an  enormous  amount.  Captured  a  spy  loco- 
motive, with  a  freight  train  in  its  rear,  at  10  A.  M.  Rebel 
government  stores  will  now  be  scarce  along  our  present  route. 
We  ate  our  breakfast  at  10:30,  which  we  consider  a  magnificent 
treat,  as  we  regard  one  meal  a  day  as  a  luxur}'  beyond  anything 
known  to  sultans  in  Asia,  leaving  European  kings  and  emperors 
aside. 

Changed  our  course  again  toward  Montgomery.     Saw  very 


112        HUM0K0U8  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

large  fields  of  sugar  cane  ten  miles  south  of  Opeliks?,  where 
there  were  rebel  quarters  too,  but  the  occuijauts  suddenly  left. 
Poor  fellows. 

Jnly  20; — Arrived  at  Lafayette  at  7  P.  M.,  where  we  expected 
a  strong  fight,  but  found  ourselves  mistaken,  as  no  fighting  men 
confronted  us.  We  captured  six  ofiicers  who  were  secreted  in 
houses  here,  and  then  paroled  them,  much  to  their  gratification 
and  that  of  their  courtseying,  hoop  skirted  friends.  Posted  at 
11  P.  M. 

July  21. — Started  again  at  4  A.  M.,  when  company  E  and 
company  G,  my  gray  horse  Cincinnati  company,  were  the  grand 
escort  of  General  Rousseau,  who  was  then  resting  himself  by 
riding  in  a  captured,  buggy.  Shortly  after  starting  our  brave 
General  Pousseau  heard  the  enemy  was  massing  his  forces  at 
Fredonia,  and  there  we  went  to  engage  him,  but  found  no  enemy 
at  all. 

Arrived  at  the  Georgia  State  line  at  2  o'clock,  entered  Car- 
rolton  at  4,  and  moved  on  toward  Marietta.  Crossed  Coosa 
once  more,  and  entered  A'^illaricca,  thirty  seven  miles  from 
Marietta,  Georgia,  at  6  P.  M. 

July  22. — Left  \'illaricca  at  5  A.  M.,  and  destroyed  a  large 
turntable  six  miles  from  tliere.  Arrived  at  Powder  springs  at 
1  P.  M.,  which  is  only  twelve  miles  from  Marietta.  Here  we 
met  General  Sherman's  pickets,  the  first  Unioa  soldiers  we  have 
seen  on  this  raid. 

Arrived  at  Marietta  at  6  P.  M.,  where  we  were  told  of  the 
capture  of  wtrks  of  the  enemy  close  up  to  Atlanta,  but  were 
grieved  to  hear  of  tlie  death  of  General  McPherson,  one  of 
Ohio's  noblest  sons,  who  was  killed  in  the  front  by  the  enemy's 
sharpshooters.  On  this  whole  raid  our  regiment  has  only  lost 
twenty-seven  men,  who  were  captured  by  their  own  straggling 
without  leave.  I  am  happy  to  say  that  G  company  did  not 
lose  a  single  man,  as»I  obeyed  General  Rousseau's  orders  to 
march  in  the  rear  of  the  company  and  not  allow  one  of  them 
to  leave  the  ranks,  unless  to  dismount,  give  his  reins  to  his 
partner  in  file,  walk  to  a  well,  return,  mount  his  horse,  and  keep 
in  ranks. 

On  rcachirg  Marietta  -^ve  received  three  hearty  cheers  from 


HUM0R0U3   AD^':ENTUEES    OF  A  YOLUNTEEE.  113 

troops  there  who  were  aware  of  the  splendid  duty  we  had 
performed  under  our  leader,  General  Rousseau,  Kentucky's 
noble  son. 

July  23. — "We  had  a  very  poor  night's  rest,  as  it  rained  all 
night,  and  we  had  nothing  to  keep  us  out  of  the  wet.  Blankets 
and  tents  we  left,  according  to  orders,  at  Mooresville,  when  we 
started  on  the  celebrated  Rousseau  raid. 

We  are  again  ordered  out,  at  9  A.  M.,  to  go  on  another  raid^ 
under  General  McCook,  and  started  on  our  fagged  horses.  At 
Marietta,  oii  our  way  to  the  Chatahoochee  river,  we  passed  a 
very  large  rebel  graveyard.  Arrived  at  a  bridge  fifteen  miles 
from  Marietta,  which  is  on  Sherman's  right.  Along  the  route 
we  passed  many  elegant  mansions,  all  unoccupied.  Log  huts 
and  houses,  like  Indian  wigwams,  are  also  abundant  on  this 
road.  Southern  chivahy  abodes  indeed.  Such  is  alwaj's  tlie 
result  of  war. 

July  25. — Have  had  one  good  night"'s  rest,  and  believe,  in  this 
case,  "fortune  favors  tlie  brave."  We  are  guarding  a  pontoon 
bridge  of  rebel  construction.  Guards  were  firing  across  this 
river  rapidly  at  each  other,  but  it  has  been  stopped,  as  random 
shooting  is  considered  worthless.  There  is  a  large  number  of 
rebel  soldiers  on  the  opposite  bai:k. 

Jnly  26. — We  are  reliefs  to  General  Stoneman's  division,  who 
were  here  before  us.  General  Stoncman  crossed  here  3'ester- 
day  and  returned  for  reinforcements.  The  9th  Ohio  cavalry  is 
ordered  out  again,  and  moved  onward  at  3  P.  M.,  reaching  a 
junction  twelve  miles  distant  at  7  P.  M.  Rested  one  hour,  and 
moved  through  a  bad  mountain  road,  ourselves  and  horses  be- 
ing jaded  and  almost  worn  out.  This  is  the  darkest  night  we 
have  yet  passed  through.  Talk  about  hard  work.  If  this  is 
not  something  of  that  kind  I  am  ignorant  of  all  laborious  em- 
ployment. 

July  27. — Rested  from  3  to  7  A.  M.,  the  rain  pouring  down 
on  us  very  heavily  ;  which  reminds  me  of  the  old  saying,  "No 
rest  for  the  weary."  Started  forward,  the  rain  still  falling  in 
torrents.  We  traveled  by  a  new  route,  which  seemed  belter 
than  any  we  yet  passed  over.  Reached  a  place  eighteen  miles 
from  our  late  camp  ground,  where  we  saw  a  -board  nailed  to  a 
8 


114:        HUMOEOUS  ADTENTUKES  OF  A  TOLUNTEEB. 

tree,  on  wbicli  was  painted,  in  Eoman  letters,  the  following 
•words : 

"  TO  HELL  FlYE  MILES ! ! !     COME  OX  YANKS ! ! ! " 

Notwithstanding  this  threat  of  chivalric  fellows,  we  moved 
forward  without  hesitation,  when,  shortly  after,  a  German  ofH- 
cer  being  near  me,  I  said : 

"Lieutenant,  can  you  tell  me  when  hops  are  of  stouter  Ger- 
man matter  than  jumps?" 

His  answer  to  my  stomachic  allusive  question  was :  "  "When 
leading  to  beer  (bier)  vaults." 

"Ah,"  said  the  lieutenant  again,  "there  indeed  would  be  a 
move,  as  going  that  way  we  would  be  bowl-ers  and  batt-ers  in 
a  cricket  lield,  winning  by  scores  this  hot  da}'." 

I  took  a  chew  of  tobacco  and  said : 

"  Lieutenant,  when  are  ladies  like  fast  horses?" 

Which  he  answered  by  saying: 

"  When  rushing  on  with  racy  veins  of  sarcasm." 

"AVomen,  wqmen,"  he  added,  "are  often  fast  leaders;  but  in 
this  they  cannot  excel  what  Fritz  says,  in  broken  English,  about 
some  certain  military  officers.  About  these  Fritz  discourseth 
thus : 

"  Von  kurnel  mit  law  sits  in  s^ate,  meinheer,  ». 

(Der  chief  vos  der  recruits  create,  dat's  clear  ) 
For  reasons  I  here,  a  goot  deutscher,  sail  dell — 
Der  teufel  makes  up  petti-foggers  in  h — 1, 
Who  '11  live  as  dey  die,  demi-johns  on  a  swell !" 

And  he  then  added  : 

"  To  toil  and  fret, 

And  calmly  set 
Upon  a  stool  while  lunching, 

Is  all  the  lot 

That  Sallie  's  got 
When  Sam  goes  out  a  punching." 

"When  is  an  eye  like  a  barrel,  Lieutenant?"  I  asked,  fixing 
my  reins  and  preparing  to  trot  off  to  my  company. 

"  You  ask  me,  'when  is  an  eye  like  a  barrel?'  I  can  tell  you 
that.     It  is  wlicn  it  is  bunged  up,  sir." 

Hearing  this  plain  answer  to  my  open  question,  away  I  went 


HCMOKOUS  ADYENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUKTEEK.        115 

and  rejoined  my  company  without  receiving   any  other  bnug. 

Julij  28. — Arrived  opposite  Cambleton  at  8  A.  M.,  and  the 
9th  O.  V.  C.  was  placed  as  guard  over  a  pontoon  bridge  and 
two  10-pound  Parrott  guns.  The  3d  Confederate  infantry  and 
a  regiment  of  Texas  rangers  occupy  Cambleton,  and  have  strong 
breastworks  on  the  river  bank.  Firing  .commenced  when  we 
got  here,  but  it  was  stopped  by  the  Oth  Ohio  cavahy.  Five 
regiments,  under  General  McCook,  are  two  miles  below  us 
erecting  a  pontoon  1)ridge.  Our  second  battalion  is  here,  com- 
manded by  Captain  Bowles.  The  captain's  quarters  are  at  the 
house  of  Hon.  T.  Bidlard,  a  secesh  chief  who  vacated  his  prem- 
ises, taking  sixty  slaves  with  him,  the  evening  before  we  arrived. 
At  10  A.  M.  Major  Payne,  of  the  first  AVisconsiu  cavalry,  com- 
manding one  of  his  battalions,  entered  Cambleton,  killing  and 
wounding  fifry-three  rebel  soldiers.  While  making  this  charge 
the  major  fell,  shot  through  the  breast,  at  the  head  of  his  men. 
His  last  words,  spoken  just  before  he  reached  the  ground  and 
his  voice  had  been  forever  hushed  in  death,  were : 

"Charge,  men,  charge!"  • 

Ten  rebel  regiments  reinforced  the  Texas  rangers,  and  the 
1st  "\Viscousin  cavalry  fell  back,  losing  ten  men^  Thej^  joined 
the  9th  0.  V.  C.  and  remained  with  us. 

July  20. — General  McCook's  division,  independent  of  Gen- 
eral Stuneman's,  2,300  strong,  reached  the  Macon  and  Atlanta 
railroad,  near  Noonan,  and  destroyed  seventeen  miles  of  the 
track,  on  both  sides  of  Lovejoy's  station;  burned  one  thousand 
five  hundred  bales  of  cotton,  and  two  railroad  de])ots  full  of 
c[uartermaster,  commissar}-,  and  ordnance  stores.  Proceeding 
on  towards  Macon  he  captured  and  burned  one  thousanc^  two 
hundred  wagons  and  six  bridges,  making  illuminations  whicli 
shed  so  bright  a  light  that  we  could  plainly  see  the  fires  at  a 
distance  of  twelve  miles. 

We  sent  a  flag  of  truce  to  Cambleton,  in  order  to  obtain  the 
body  of  the  lamented  Major  Payne,  but  the  rebel  leader  stated 
that  it  had  been  buried,  whicli  was  all  the  answer  we  received. 
Ordered  to  return  at  7  P.  M.,  and  obeyed  orders,  taking  the 
pontoon  bridges  and  two  Parrott  guns  with  us  in  the  direction 
of  Marietta. 


116        HUMOROUS  ADVENTUEE3  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

July  30.— Kestcd  at  2  A.  M.,  moved  on  at  5,  and  at  7  A.  M, 
captured  sevent_y-tliree  guerrillas.  We  were  on  this  raid  sixty- 
five  miles  south  of  Atlanta,  destroying  more  railroads.  "VYe 
are  oystermen  in  some  respects,  goino:  slap  dash  into  deep 
water,  seeking  shoals  to  obtain  shell-fish  for  longing  shell  iisli- 
ites  and  Union  lovers.'  Reached  Yining's  station,  nine  miles 
from  Marietta,  at  9  P.  M.,  where  we  camped. 

July  31, — Received  our  mail  here  to-day,  Avhich  makes  us 
soldiers  very  happy.  My  family  are  all  well,  for  whicli  1  humbly 
thank  my  great  Creator. 

August  1,  18G4. — It  is  very  foggy  here  this  morning.  What 
a  barren  soil  lies  under  our  feet  in  this  part  of  Georgia.  It 
seeriis  a  wilderness.  Talk  about  cannibals  in  stones.  Here 
they  should  live  in  nature.  Got  leave  to  go  to  Marietta,  and 
there  I  saw  Colonel  Brownlow,  who  had  just  arrived  bareheaded 
and  barefooted,  bringing  a  part  of  his  regiment,  the  4th  Tenn- 
essee cavalry,  with  him.  He  reports  the  greater  part  of  Mc- 
Cook's  division  surrounded,  but  nearly  all  of  them  cut  their 
wa}'  through  the  rebel  ranks,  and  succeeded  in  making  their 
escape. 

Au'j;ust  2. — Ten  thousand  head  of  captured  cattle  are  passing 
here  for  Sherman's  front.  AVent  to  the  Soldiers'  Home  here, 
which  is  well  conducted,  and  in  charge  of' Mr.  Charles  Fitch,  of 
Columbus,  Ohio.  Captain  Todd,  a  cousin  of  President  Lincoln, 
lias  the  whole  charge  of  this  splendid  editice.  Returned  to 
Yining's  station  and  saw  two  hundred  and  eight}'  rebel  priso- 
ners at  the  depot.  They  were  captured  near  Atlanta,  and  be- 
longed to  a  dozen  different  regiments.  Among  these  prisoners 
was  if  Lieutenant  Saunders,  who  had  married  a  southern  lady 
of  means  at  Marietta  last  May,  nearly  two  months  before  we 
took  it,  and  was  with  his  young  wife  at  the  time  of  its  capture. 
Soon  after  the  fall  of  the  place  suspicion  was  attracted  to  their 
house,  and  a  squad  of  guards  were  sent  to  search  it.  When 
they  entered  the  premises  the  young  husband  was  snugly  en- 
sconsed  between  the  mattrasscs  of  his  bed,  and  his  wife  was 
on  top  of  the  coverlid,  pretending  great  sickness.  The  pro- 
verbial gallantry  of  the  American  soldier  prevented  any  farther 
molcbtation  of  the  sick  lady  and   secured  the  escape    of  her 


HDMOEOUS   ADVENTURES   OF  A  VOLTTNTEEK.  117 

husband.  The  only  advantage  that  resulted  from  this  manouvre 
was  that  Lieutenant  Saunders  was  honorably  captured  in  the 
field,  instead  of  being;  taken  at  home  when  his  friends  stood  so 
fearfully  in  need  of  his  services.  This  instance  is  anotherillus- 
tration  of  the  angelic  qualities  of  femininity,  when  possessed 
of  a  moral  mind. 

August  Z. — There  is  a  signal  corps  here  at  Yiniug's  station, 
and  an  extensive  hospital  which  now  contains'  2,000  sick  and 
wounded  men. 

August  3. — Ordered  to  report  all  servicable   horses  to   the 
adjutant.     Found  three  servicable  horses  in  my  Cincinnati  com 
pany. 

August  5. — General  McCook  arrived  at  Marietta  to-day.  He 
destroyed  twenty-five  miles  of  the  Macon  and  Cohimbia  rail- 
road, and  went  to  the  suburbs  of  Macon  before  he  returned.  A 
new  bridge  is  completed  across  the  Chatahoochee  river,  two 
miles  south  of  Vining's  station,  where  we  dismounted  members 
of  the  9th  Ohio  volunteer  cavahy  are,  at  present,  posted  on 
guard  duty.  : 

August  6. — h.  number  of  poor  southern  women  are  here  to- 
day with  blackberries  to  sell  for  coffee  and  sugar.  Anxious  to 
obtain  some  of  my  favorite  and  healthy  berries,  I  addressed 
one  of  the  best  looking  women,  who  had  but  very  few  berries 
left. 

"  My  good  woman,"  said  I,  looking  lovingly  at  her, 

"  'A  "sweet  face  haunts  my  lonely  way; 

Deep  mournful  eyes  and  thoughtful  brow, 
On  which  the  grave  mold  lieth  now, 
Half  veiled  in  shadows  cold  and  gray. 

The  twilight  died  and  I  alone 

Stood  gazing  on  that  senseless  clay. 

In  awful  beauty  all  its  own. 

Oh,  fortune,  fame,  and  friends,  aro  gone; 

I  did  not  mourn  them  when  they  fled, 

For,  from  their  ashes  cold  and  dead, 

A  sweet  one  rose  and  drives  me  on.'  " 

The  young  lady  I  here  poetically  addressed,  listened,  and 
seeming  of  a  literary  turn,  asked  me  laughingly  if  I  did  not  want 


118        HUMOKOUS  ADVENTUKES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEE. 

to  buy  her  last  quart  or  berries.  I  told  her  certainly,  and  with- 
out more  words  she  gave  them  to  me  and  I  paid  her  in  coffee 
and  sngar, 

August  8. — Portions  of  General  Stoneman's  regiments,  who 
were  out  with  him  on  his  raid,  got  here  to  day.  I  saw  parts  of 
the  1st,  4th,  and  11th  Kentucky  cavalry ;  the  14th  and  16th 
Illinois  cavalry,  and  the  9th  Michigan  cavalry.  They  report 
that  they  were  surrounded  by  rebel  infantry  and  cavalry,  who 
numbered  ten  to  their  one ;  that  General  Stoneman  being  com- 
pelled to  surrender,  ordered  his  men  to  do  so,  or  cut  their  way 
out,  whichever  they  thought  best.  These  men  adopted  the  cut- 
ting out  method,  as  they  preferred  death  to  a  surrender,  and 
lost  forty  men  each.  Glory  to  such  bravery.  These  men  did 
not  care  if  the  enemy's  force  was  12,000  strong  ;  they  had  1,700 
and  succeeded  in  getting  back  to  Marietta.  General  Stoneman 
and  live  hundred  men  were  captured. 

Viewed  Kenesaw  mountain  from  Yining's  hill,  where  a  signal 
corps  is  stationed,  and  saw  a  correct  copy  of  the  scene  in 
Frank,  Leslie's  Illustrated  News,  for  August  Gth,  1864.  Old 
Sol  brings  perspiration  from  every  pore,  at  the  foot  of  this 
hill ;  yet  he  might  lead  to  shuddering  if  we  Yanks'  were  near 
soda  fountains,  submerged  in  icy  particles,  indulging  in  a  taste 
of  this  cooling  beverage. 

August  10. — The  twenty-third  army  corps,  under  General 
Schofield,  moved  three  miles  to  the  right.  Co.mpanies  E  and 
F,  9th  Ohio  volunteer  cavalry,  have  been  sent  .to  guard  wagon 
trains.  Ours  is  the  only  Rousseau  raid  regiment  now  left  here 
all  the  others  having  gone  back  to  obtain  servicable  horses  and 
retain  possession  of  their  former  posts.  Those  members  of 
our  regiment  who  are  fortunate  enough  to  be  n:ounted,  arc 
now  stationed  two  miles  from  East  Point,  and  one  mile  from 
the  railroad. 

Auqttst  11. — Generals  Dodge  and  Schofield  have  both  sent 
for  all  the  serviceable  men  and  horses  of  our  regiment.  The 
farrier,  nfter  a  full  inf;pection,  pronounced  eighty-three  horses 
of  the  whole  regiment  serviceable,  yet  five  hundred  men  of  the 
9th  O.  Y.  C.  have  joined  the  twenty  third  army  corps  on  the 
extreme  right.     The  dismounted  men,  three  hundred  and  eighty 


HUMOROUS   ADVENTUEES    OF  A  YOLUNTEEE.  119 

in  number,  are  to  remain  on  duty  Iiere  until  the  receipt  of  fur- 
tlier  orders. 

August  12. — We  are  guarding  the  large  field  hospital  here, 
which  now  contains  one  thousand  one  hundred  wounded  and 
sick  men.  The  balance  of  the  regiment  got  here  on  a  train 
from  Mooresville  to-da/.  The  twenty-third  army  corps  advanced 
six  miles  farther  to  the  right.  All  company  horse  equipments 
were  turned  over  to  Captain  Stough  ty-day. 

August  13. — The  20th  Indiana  light  battery  moved  past  here 
to  day,  going  to  the  right  wing.  Heard  of  Doran,  our  regi- 
mental bugler.  He  is  in  prison  at  Macon,  Georgia.  He  was 
captured  near  Talladega,  on  our  Rousseau  raid.  Doran  is  a 
fighting  man  when  he  drinks,  which  he  did  at  Talladega,  and 
takes  no  insulting  word  from  any  one  then.  As  an  instance  of 
this : 

"When  we  left  Talledega  General  Rousseau's  adjutant  general 
ordered  Doran  out  of  his  road,  as  he  wanted  to  pass  without 
hindrance  from  such  a  fellow.  Doran's  muscles  were  excited 
by  this  language  and  he  said: 

"  I  '11  be  d — d  if  I  'ra  any  more  of  a  fellow  than  3''ou,  and  I 
can  prove  this  to  you  mighty  soon,  if  you  think  it  needs  to  be 
l^roved." 

This  speech  aroused  the  adjutant's  ire,  and  he  and  Doran  had 
a  list  fight,  Doran  coining  out  winner.  Intelligence  of  this 
coming  to  General  Rousseau  he- threw  his  dignity  aside;  told 
Doran  to  strip  and  fight  him  as  his  equal,  and  leave  shoulder 
straps  aside  ;  which  Doran  agreed  to,  went  in,  and  got  whipped. 
The  general  must  be  a  fighting  man  every  waj^,  as  Doran,  whom 
he  whipped  so  easily,  is  equal  in  the  science  of  fisticuffs  to  any 
prize  fighter  of  his  weight  and  size  in  the  American  roped 
arena. 

Aujust  11 — Went  to  the  top  of  Vining's  hill  to-day,  where 
Lieutenant  Brent  is  stationed  with  the  signal  corps,  and  there 
saw  Atlanta's  church  steeples,  and  some  of  its  breastworks  in 
our  front,  Avith  Kenesaw,  Stone,  and  Pine  mountains,  in  our 
rear.  These  seem  to  be  triplicate  productiuns  of  nature,  about 
equal  distances  apart.  Stone  mountain  is  nearest  Atlanta,  then 
Kenesaw,  and  then  Pine  mountain.     We  are  ordered  to  build 


120  HUMOEOUS    ADVENTUEES    OF  A    VOLUNTEER. 

entrenchments  near  the  Chatahoochee  river,  half  a  mile  distant, 
and  have  begnn  work  there. 

August  15. — The  dismounted  9th  Ohio  cavalrymen  are  still 
at  Vining's  station.  Heard  at  10  A-  ]\r.  that  the  enemy  under 
Wlieeler  M^as  advancing,  and  was  within  three  miles  of  us. 
"We  formed  in  line  of  battle,  one  mile  m  front,  commanded  by 
Captain  Stougli.  Sent  out  scouts  and  in  two  hours  found  that 
the  enemy  was  not  coming  to  Vining's  station.  The  4th  Ohio 
heavy  artillery  fell  in  with  us.  They  are  sixty- three  strong, 
under  Captain  Hoffman,  and  are  going  home  to  be  mustered  out 
of  service.  AVe  hear  the  rebels  destroyed  six  miles  of  our 
railroad,  near  Dalton,  3^esterday  before  the  Federal  force  came 
upon  them.  They  were  overtaken  to-day  and  lost  ninety-eight 
in  killed  and  woun4ed,  and  two  hundred  and  seventeen  in  cap- 
tured. 

August  16. — AVent  to  Marietta  on  a  leave,  and  saw  the  lOtli 
Indiana  infantry  going  home  on  a  train,  their  time  being  out. 
Heard  the  following  poetry  recited  by  a  disabled  soldier  at  the- 
Soldiers'  Home  to-day : 

"A  soldier  who  'd  been  heaving  yarns 

About  his  tent  ere  roll  call. 

Who  'd  soaked  liis  mess  in  foolish  darns. 

From  Love's  bright  vista  stole  all, 
'  1  've  been,'  said  he,  'a  foolish  chap, 
A  mirthful,  gay  like  lover 
In  days  of  yOre,  when  on  my  lap 
Sate  Nell  and  Kate,  in  clover; 
In  forward  march  I  then  quick  stepped 
Commanded  but  by  beauty. 
Then  charged  through  lot3  o-f  love,  and  cr&pi 
To  military  duty. 

*■  Halt! '  cries  a  sergeant,  'that 's  enough; 
Tou  're  regularly  mustered.* 
I  'm  what?     No  pepper  stripes  can  bluS 
A  well  made  can  of  castaixi. 
'Fall  in;'  'retreat;'  'thy  cannonade- 
Beyond  my  flanks  are  tlying.' 
'  Reserves,  advance!.    Let  every  maid 
Unlimbersei^eants  Ijnng^.*" 

So  uniform  has  been  this  thetue 

Of  yoking  perfumed  flowers, 

That  .shadows  on  man's  future,  seem 

To  glow  like  sunset  hours.'* 


HUMOROUS  ADTENTUEES  OF  A  YOLUNTEEK.        121 

August  17. — One  Imndred  and  seventeen  horses  were  bronglit 
here  and  mounted  by  that  number  of  our  men,  wlio  have  ioined 
the  regiment  and  gone  on  another  raid  under  General  Kilpat- 
rick.. 

A^igtist  18. — Very  foggy  here  this  morning.  Heard  heavy 
cannonading  on  our  right  to-day.  A  rebel  deserter  named  Ka- 
heely,  a  private  in  the  42d  Georgia  infantry,  swam  across  the 
river  and  gave  himself  up.  He  lives  fifteen  miles  south  of 
Marietta.  He  says  false  stories  have  been  widely  circulated 
by  Janes,  one  of  Hood's  scouting  spies.  Janes  is  despised  by 
all  who  know  him,  as  a  lying,  worthless  scamp.  Kilpatrick  has 
gone  towards  Macon. 

August  19. — Thirty-seven  captured  officers  were  sent  through 
here  to  Marietta  to-day.  The  greater  portion  of  these  men  are 
disguised,  and  are  openly  tyranical  in  principle,  saying  we  Feds 
ought  to  be  taught  what  we  will  soon  know,  that  southern  men 
are  obly  fighting  for  liberty  in  their  own  native  land,  where  no 
others  can  come  armed  without  their  leave.  They  also  say  we 
never  can  take  Atlanta  ;  and  to  our,  not  their,  loss  we  will 
soon  discover  that  fact.  The  last  speaking  chivalric  hero  was 
a  very  large  man,  and  had  a  heavy  voice,  which  reminded  me  of 
a  certain  class  of  opera  singers,  whose  deep  toned  voices  might 
be  likened  to  a  certain  kind  of  fish  and  called  bass.  I  felt  a 
virtue  in  my  quick  thought  that  m-vestid  citizens  should  take 
tlftngs  coolly  in  the  South,  because  nothing  should  unbosom 
their  equanimity,  or  rufUe  their  composure,  Avhile  soldiers  are 
muzzle  in'  their  Long-streets  or  Hardies  in  de-la(i)nes. 

Heat  in  expression  here  may  make  an  inveterate  toper 
and  water-hater  finish  his  life  by  vindictively  "  kicking  the 
bucket." 

Our  artillery  on  the  right  and  center  is  throwing  sliot  and 
shell  into  Atlanta  very  rapidly  to-day.  The  right  wing,  under 
General  Schofield,  is  now  nearest  the  town.  The  twenty-third 
corps  moved  six  miles  farther  to  the  right.  Two  hundred  and 
forty  rebel  prisoners  were  brought  in  here  to-day.  One  hun- 
dred and  seventy  of  them  aic  Alabamians,  mIio  deserted,  tlioy 
gay,  because  they  find  it  useless  to  fight  us  brave  western  men 
any  longer. 


122         HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

August  22. — Firing  in  front  all  night.  A  woman  near  here 
was  conlined  last  night ;  previous  to  which  I  took  her  daughter- 
in-law  past  our  pickets  to  obtain  a  physician  for  her.  Caught 
a  bad  cold  in  the  rain. 

August  23. — Tlie  mounted  portion  of  our  regiment  is  now 
camped  at  Sandtown,  on  our  extreme  right,  near  the  camp 
meeting  ground  known  as  Mount  Gilead.  Saw  Dr.  McMillan, 
our  assistant  regimental  surgeon,  who  tells  me  to  go  to  the 
twenty-third  corps  hospital  at  Marietta,  as  he  has  not  the  med- 
icine I  need. 

Started  on  a  train  at  1  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  was  placed  in  the 
twenty-third  army  corps  officers'  hospital.  Major  Finch  and 
Colonel  Hamilton  are  both  here  sick. 

Axigunt  24. — Have  the  intermittant  billions  fever,  for  which  I 
am  under  treatment. 

August  25. — The  chaplain  of  the  50th  Ohio  infantry  is  sick 
in  the  next  bed.  He  has  singular  whims  in  regard  to  both  war 
and  peace.  His  most  fiequent  remarks  are  about  our  want  of 
men  in  front,  ricli  men  instead  of  poor,  and  our  great  need  of 
pious  feelings  everywhere.  While  making  a  pious  exhortation 
he  saw  a  number  of  ladies  slowl}'  passing  our  sick  tents,  who 
gazed  Avith  pity  on  us,  and  he  concluded  his  conversation  by 
walking  out  towards  tliem  and  saying: 

"Oh,  gentlemen,  look  out.  There  go  our  towers  of  great 
strength."  # 

Avgust  25. — Heard  an  excellent  sermon  preached  to-day  over 
the  corpse  of  Captain  Dudley  A.  King,  of  New  York,  who  died 
yesterday  evening  of  wounds  received  in  front  of  Atlanta,  July 
28,  1864-.  He  was  the  son  of  Eeverend  T.  Starr  King,  who  left 
New  York  for  California,  some  time  since,  on  account  of  perse- 
cution by  some  of  his  church  members. 

•  Lieutenant  Colonel  Slevins  of  the  100th  Ohio  infantry  isdiere, 
wounded  in  the  left  arm'.  This  gallant  colonel  is  a  gentleman 
of  considerable  humor,  and  showed  it  this  morning  by  quietly 
asking: 

/Oii,"  Where  is  Lieutenant 2"  • 

;      And  the  answer  came: 

"Here,  Colonel." 


HUMOROUS   ADYENTUEES    OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  123 

But  the  colonel  pretended  not  to  hear  it,  and  continued  by 
saying-: 

"  Well,  if  the  lieutenant  is  not  here  now  I  '11  bet  he  soon  will 
be,  because  he  always  presents  his  flask  of  divine  liquidity  to 
his  friends,  saying  as  he  offers  it:  'Here,  gentleman, indulge  to 
a  slight  extent  in  this  costly,  very  costlj',  article  of  strong  drink.' 
I  always  believed  in  a  gentlemanly  kindness,  and  here 's  this 
lieutenant  as  an  instance  of  this.  Yes,  gentlemen  ;  he  's  the 
most  generous,  kind,  humane,  nobly  gifted,  indulgent,  open 
hearted,  patriotic  being  among  us.  Moreover,  he  is  the  much 
beloved  and  liighly  respected  possessor  of  the  very  necessary 
strengthening  material  which,  according  to  custom,  is  confined 
in  a  flask." 

Here  the  lieutenant  showed  the  empty  flask,  when  the  colonel 
sighed,  lay  down  quietly,  and  ended  his  eulogy  of  the  lieutenant 
and  his  flask  by  depositing  himself  in  the  arms  of  his  friend 
Morpheus. 

General  Kilpatrick  has  just  returned  from  a  successful  raid. 
He  destroyed  nineteen  miles  of  the  Macon  railroad,  captured 
five  cannon  and  three  hundred  prisoners,  who  have  arrived  at 
Marietta,  killed  and  wounded  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  men, 
captured  one  thousand  two  hundi-ed  mules,  destroyed  two  de- 
pots and  five  bridges,  the  former  filled  with  rebel  commissary 
and  quartermaster  stores.  He  lost  in  killed,  wounded,  and  cap- 
tured, one  hundred  and  thirteen  men  altogether.  Glorious  for 
Ivilpatrick. 

August  26. — The  dismounted  members  of  our  regiment  arc 
ordered  to  Nashville  to  procure  horses,  and  staited  by  railroad 
at  10  P.  M.    . 

August  27. — Ean  sLwly  until  1  A.  M.,  when  a  crash  in  front 
indicated  that  something  was  wrong,  and  we  soon  found  that 
the  locomotive  and  first  four  cars  were  thrown  from  the  track. 
This  was  thirteen  miles  from  Marie tfa  and  six  miles  from  Big 
Shanty,  at  the  latter  of  which  places  two  of  our  regiments  are 
stationed.  The  crash-  was  immediately  followed  by  a  volley 
from  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  Wheeler's  cavalry,  wlio  were 
ambushed  he/e.  The  9th  Ohio  cavalry,  quickly  forming  in  line, 
returned  the  fire  and  then  charged,  compelling  these   demons 


124         HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

to  retreat  on  their  fast  liorses,  when  they  found  who  they  had 
to  deal  with.  Our  losses  were :  Killed,  Corporal  Griffin,  of  M 
company,  and  Private  H.  Hodge,  of  K  company.  Wounded, 
Sergeant  Carnahan,  M  company  ;  Privates  Israel  Hull  and  S.  G« 
Martin,  and  a  teamster  named  I.  Morgan.  The  ambushing  house 
opposite  is  Bayard  Eauney's.  This  fellow  is  a  lieutenant  in 
Wheeler's  cavalry,  as  his  lirrle  neice,  five  years  old,  told  us  as 
I  picked  her  up  from  a  fall  she  received  in  front  of  her  door. 
She  said : 

"  Untie  Bay,  he  now  don'  to  cotch  de  Yanks,  and  kill  'em ; 
an'  he  done  dat ;  an'  he  now  gone  away,  so  glad,  Uncle  Bay 
is." 

Captain and left  last  night,  jumping  from  the  cars, 

and  took  the  woods  for  it,  bareheaded  and  barefooted,  if  truth 
is  told.  ]f  such  is  the  case,  I  should  be  ashamed  ever  to  come 
back,  if  I  were  one  of  them. 

There  is  a  large  nulitary  graveyard  at  BigShantj^  The  best 
made  grave  there  is  that  of  Adjutant  David  A.  Ileese,  54th  0, 
Y.  I.;  next  is  that  of  M.  Waterhouse,  8th  Missouri  infantry; 
and  opposite  is  the  well  made  grave  of  James  McCausland, 
3:2d  Illinois  infantry. 

The  repairs  of  cars  and  railroad  finished,  we  again  started 
for  Nashville  at  4  P.  M. 

August  28. — Peached  Tunnel  hill  at  5  A.  M.,  which  once  was 
and  still  might  have  been  a  rebel  stronghold,  iiad  they  not  been 
attacked  and  forced  to  retreat  by  the  very  noblest  general  in 
tlie  whole  United  States  service,  I  mean  Major  General  Sher- 
man. 

There  are  furt^^-one  rcfngee  women  on  this  train,  all  pioperly 
cared  for. 

August  29. — Left  Taiitallon  at  C  A.  M.,  arriving  at  Murfrees- 
boro  at  5  P.  M.,  where  a  crowd  ol  srrung  sece.sh  women  were 
gathered  at  the  depot  with  a  large  lot  of  eatables,  which  was 
bought  for  three  hundred  and  fifty  rebel  prisoners  known  to  be 
on  the  train  behind  us.  Arrived  in  Nashville,  and  moved  to 
Camp  Smith,  three  miles  south  of  the  city. 

August  clU. — Took  medicine  given  me  by  Major  Finch,  our 
surgeon. 


HUMOROUS  ALVENTUEE3  OF  A  VOLUNTEER,        1-0 

August  31. — Stayed  all  night,  sick  as  I  am,  tcntlcss  and  with 
no  other  covering  than  the  sky.  Hear  firing  hj  our  skirmishers 
live  miles  south  of  us,  where  it  is  reported  that  two  divisions 
of  Wheeler's  cavalry  are  now  advancing  toward  Mashville.  We 
are  ordered  to  be  in  readinessin  one  hour.  In  less  time  than 
that  we  are  awaiting  orders,  dismounted  though  we  are. 

Septemher>  1. — Ordered  to  take  three  days  rations  andsixty 
rounds  of  amunition. 

September  2. — The  available  9th  Ohio  cavalry  started  out 
mounted,  having  obtained  horses  at  the  corral  this  the  hottest 
day  of  this  year.  Sent  to  the  olFicers'  hospital  at  10  A.  M.,  and 
was  taken  with  congestive  chills  at  5  P.  M.  My  life  was  saved 
by  Dr.  Green,  who  sat  up  with  me  till  past  midniglit.  I  hear 
Atlanta  is  ours.  Our  men  are  again  under  Genei-al  Eousscan, 
pursuing  Wliceler  south  of  Duck  river.  In  a  charge  on  them 
near  here,  our  troops  captured  fifry-seven  men  and  live  hundred 
and  thirty  one  horses.  "Fight  or  fly,"  is  General  Rousseau's 
motto,  and  the  robs  agree  to  the  latter  part  of  his  programme, 
taking  flj^  days  into  consideration,  they  exert  themselves  to 
escape  contagion  by  being  adroit  Wheel  ers  on  a?ii-mules,  every 
chance  oflfered  tliem.     The  limes  says  : 

"Wheeler  may  be  classed  among  the  ]'layed  out,  used  up, 
extinguished  generals  of  the  rebellion.  If  he  were  captured 
and  brought  t«  Nashville,  he  could  not  raise  a  broiled  chicken 
or  a  plate  of  ice  cream  among  his  late  female  admirers.  Gen- 
eral Rousseau,  in  taking  five  hundred  of  Wheeler's  horses,  lays 
himself  liable  to  the  grave  charge  of  putting  a  treasonable  ex- 
pedition on  footy 

Scpte/nbtr  0. — Received  a  twenty  days  leave  of  absence  to- 
day. 

September  12, — Reached  Cincinnati  and  found  m^-  family  all 
well. 

September  18. — There  was  a  McClclIan  torch!  iglit  procession 
to-night,  which  was  led  by  a  grand  landlord  who  pushes  poor 
people  out  of  his  houses  whenever  they  fail  to  pay  a  month's' 
rent  in  advance. 

"  Xow  by  my  sword,"  spake  that  gallant  lord, 
"  We  will  meet  them  in  the  (ield. 


126        HUMOROUS  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  YOLUNTEEE. 

Let  each  gtilhint  knight  equip  for  the  fight, 
And  traitors  be  they  who  yield." 


HOUSE  RENT. 

A  landlord  quite  we:ilthy,  a  short  time  ago, 
Left  home  to  procure  monthly  wnges. 
Where  soldiers'  wives  dwelt  he  presented  as  beau, 
The  miser  who  owned  those  bird-cages. 
Re  asked  for  his  rents  ere  the  government  paid 
The  sums  that  his  tenants  so  nobly  had  made. 
"0,  fie,  sir;  0,  fie,"  said  a  lady  he  jawed. 
Who  hoped  to  awake  his  true  feeling; 
"  I  'm  durned  if  I  do,  you  shall  out  or  be  lawed," 
And  he  jerked  up  his  hat  to  the  ceiling. 
But  this  was  soon  over.     A  neighboring  cane 
•  Most  properly  lashed  out  an  Able  again. 
"  Hurrah !  "  says  myself,  a  poor  soldier  spectator,  - 
"  This  fellow  's  well  thrashed,  like  a  gold  speculator. 
Mny  pure  palmy  days  come,  when  war 's  at  an  end. 
And  miserly  landlords  and  brokers  must  bend." 

Ssptcmbcr  24-. — There  is  a  o-rand  Union  torch  ligiit  procession 
here  to-night,  which  is  tlie  largest  I  ever  saw.  Besides  the 
thousands  on  foot  there  are  thousands  on  horses,  in  buggies, 
carria-^'es,  and  wagons,  who  all  cheer  for  Abraham  Lincoln  and 
Andrew  Johnson,  as  the)^  move  on  through  the  streets,  led  by 
the  dozens  of  splendid  bands  of  music.  Hurrah  for  such  an 
elegant  display  of  patriotic  principles. 

Sep!€m.her'2d. — Left  Cincinnati  for  Louisville  on  my  return  to 
the  front. 

Septnnher  30. — Arrived  at  Nashville. 

Octoler  11. — Tiie  vote  of  Ohio  soldiers  was  taken  here  to- 
day, resulting  as  follows : 

Lincoln,         ....--.         137 

McClellan, 000 

Fremont, 000 


Union  majorIt_y,         .....     137 
October  18. — Tlie  Dth  Ohio  volunteer  cavalry  isnowatCliat- 
tanooga,  Tennessee,  under  General  Scholield,  and  supj)lied  with 


HUM0K0U3    AD  VENTURES    OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  127 

fresh  horses.    Hood  rapidly  retreated  from  Dalten  with  Sherman 
after  him. 

ISovcmhcr  IG. — Reported  for  duty  to-day  to  Colonel  Lowe,  at 
Camp  Webster,  where  1  was  informed  that  the  mounted  men 
of  the  Uth  Ohio  cavalry  had  departed  under  General  Sherman, 
leaving  the  dismounted  men  behind.  The  disnKiunted  caval- 
rymen now  here  number  three  thousand.  Major  Lnper,  of  the 
7th  Ohio  cavalry,  commanding  the  Mississippi  cavalry  di- 
vision. 

JSovemherld. — Ordered  to  attend  to  equipments  for  thelStli 
Kentucky  cavalry.  I  did  so,  and  to  my  surprise  saw  Major 
Simmes,  who  resigned  at  Fulaski,  four  months  since,  at  Captain 
Cox's  (quartermaster)  ofBce  as  chief  clerk.  Major  iSimmes  was 
a  fine  field  ofiicer,  liked  by  all  his  men,  and  when  he  resigned 
was  in  command  of  the  first  battalion  of  the  0th  Ohio  cav- 
alry. 

JS'ovember'H. — Brought  four  hundred  and  twenty-five  men  of 
the  10th  and  12th  Tennessee  cavalry  to  camp.  Saw  Captain 
Irviu,  of  M  company,  9th  Ohio  cavalry,  at  Nashville.  There 
is  an  Irishman  named  O'Conner  in  the  barracks  here.  lie  be- 
longs to  a  Missouri  cavalry  regiment.  lie  absents  himself  on 
whisky  drinking  exploits  frequently.  A  good  story  of  this  fel- 
low is  current  here. 

A  countrywoman  of  his  keeps  a  whisky  sliop  at  Nashville, 
and  she  induces  him,  poor  fool,  to  act  bar  keeper  for  her  ;  not 
merely  because  he  can  obtain  customers,  but  because  he  is  a 
good  one  himself,  being  possessed  of  six  hundred  dollars  which 
he  obtained  by  going  substitute  for  a  drafted  man  in  St.  Louis 
This  Biddy  is  one  of  them  sure.  She  represents  herself  as  a 
widow,  anxious  to  obtain  a  good  second  husband,  and  tries  to 
make  every  customer  believe  himself  the  best  loved  one  of  all^ 
her  visitors.  Some  men,  thinking  this  true,  treat  all  hands,  and 
this  frequently  leads  to  fights,  one  of  which  occuried  tliere 
yesterday,  when,  to  stop  the  fracas  and  make  peace,  she  cried 
out: 

"Ochone!  Ochonc !  Sure  yccs  all  know  how  I  like  yez,  and 
yees  all  ought  to  be  quiet  when  yees  are  with  me  in  me  own 
house.     Share  the  police  might  come  after  yez  all,  an'  take  you, 


128        HUMOROUS  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEK.  ' 

agrah,"  (looking  at  one,)  "or  you,  asthore,"  (to  another,)  "or 
you,  arrouchal,"  (to  a  third,)  "and  thin  fhat  could  I  do  ?  Fhere's 
the  mon  can  say  any  other  ways  nor  this?  Faix,  thin,  it's  me- 
self  would  like  to  be  looking  upon  his  ugly  mug  whin  he'd  say 
it." 

These  entreaties  quelled  the  men,  and  they  again  indulged  in 
her  strong  drinks. 

Conner,  in  this,  reminds  me  of  a  poor  fellow  whose  whisky 
drinking  propensities  were  led  on  by  a  female  he  met  in  New 
Orleans  some  years  ago.  She  was  very  handsome,  and  leading 
her  child,  who  was  about  four  years  old,  along  the  upper  part 
of  Canal  street,  looking  for  rooms  which  she  desired  to  rent. 
Being  a  stranger  in  the  citj',  and  an  elegant  dress  maker,  short 
of  funds,  she  was  looking  for  a  small  convenient  place  of  bus- 
iness, where,  by  virtuous  means,  she  could  rej)lenish  her  purse. 
The  man  I  here  allude  to  was  a  good  mechanic,  tolerably  well 
to  do.  in  the  world,  was  also  passing  up  Canal  street  wlien  he 
saw  this  lady  looking  at  all  the  houses  which  had  rent  bills  on 
them.  This  saticsfied  him  that  she  was  looking  for  something 
of  the  kind,  and  he  stopped  and  asked  her  if  she  was  looking 
for  rooms  to  rent. 

She  said  she  was,  but,  being  an  entire  stranger,  she  thought 
it  would  be  hard  to  find  a  proper  small  business  place  for  a 
poor  dress  maker,  like  herself,  who  could  not  afford  to  pay  high 
rent. 

Mr.  B h  told  her  he  was  glad  to  hear  tjiis,  as  he  owned  a 

vacant  cottage  near  by  that  would  just  suit  her,  which  he  would 
show  her  if  she  would  accompany  him. 

To  this  she  consented,  and  soon  found  a  place  such  as  she 
wanted.     The  next  day  she  moved  in  ;  and  one  night  not  long 

afterward,  Mr.  B h  brought  a  sign  marked: 

"  Mrs.  C ,  Fashionable  Dress  Maker." 

Mrs.  C hrst  saw  this  in  the  morning  after  it  had  been 

fastened  up  in  iront  of  the  entrance.  She  was  surprised  and 
pleased,  yet  anxious  to  know  who  had  porfoinicd  so  friendly 
an  action  for  so  complete  a  stranger.  Seeing  her  landlord  pass- 
ing, and  believing  that  he  it  was  who  had  done  this  kindness, 
she  asked  him  if  it  was  not  so.     Being  closely  questioned  he 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.        129 

finally  acknowledged  the  fact,  when  she  said  she  accepted  the 
favor  provided  he  permitted  a  return.  To  this  lie  consented, 
and  in  about  a  week  she  gave  him  six  well  made  linen  shirts 
which  she  manufactured  herself.  This  brought  on  an  intimate 
acquaintance  between  the  widowed  dressmaker  and  bachelor 
landlord,  resuUing  in  love  on  his  part  and  strong  friendly  feel- 
ings on  her  side. 

"  I  was  fully  in  hopes,"  said  he,  "that  she  loved  me  as  I  did 
her.  I  drew  freely  on  my  imagination  in  order  to  convince 
myself  that  such  was  really  the  case,  and  sought  many  occa- 
sions to  bring  the  reality  of  these  happy  feelings  home  to  my 
heart.  I  had  a  sanguine,  impressionable  nature,  in  every  sense, 
and  being  unconscious  of  any  defects  in  my  feelings  I  resolved 
to  tell  Mrs.  C.  how  I  adored  her,  and  ask  her  to  become  my 
wife.  These  feelings  gave  me  a  feverish  strength,  which,  in- 
stead of  prostrating  my  energies,  led  me  rapidly  to  a  denoue- 
ment fatal  to  my  hopes  and  blasting  to  my  future  happiness 
forever.  I,  five  months  after  our  first  acquaintance,  on  my 
knees,  asked  her  to  become  my  wife,  telling  her  I  loved  her  to 
distraction.  She  refused  me,  however,  saying  she  loved  another 
person,  v;ho  was  as  great  a  stranger  as  myself,  and,  conse- 
quently, under  such  circumstances,  she  could  not  accej)t  me  as 
her  expected  husband.  The  coolness  with  which  the  refusal 
was  made  forever  destroyed  my  fond  hopes,  and  Heft  her  with- 
out uttei'ing  one  word  more,  went  to  a  drinking  saloon,  became 
intoxicated,  and  have  continued  so  ever  since.  1  am  now  nearly 
penniless,  and  care  not  how  soon  Dame  Nature  calls  me  home 
finds  me  a  bed  in  the  lap  of  Mother  Earth,  and  stills  forever 
the  warm  pulsations  with  which  my  breakiiig  heart  yet  throbs." 

Although  apparently  romantic,  this  is  no  made  up  story.  Jt 
is  true  ;  as  is  everything  else  that  is  put  down  in  this  humble 
diary. 

JSovemher  24:. — x\  rebel  brigade  attacked  eight  hundred  Union 
soldiers,  on  a  railroad  train,  near  Pulaski,  Tennessee,  this 
morning,  thinking  to  captuie  all  of  them;  but  the  United  Statos 
troops  took  one  hundred  prisoners,  including  their  brigade 
band.  The  balance  succeeded  in  making  their  escape,  much 
to  our  sorrow. 


e 


130        HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  YOLUNTEEE, 

'November  25. — Hood's  army  is  approaclnng,  and  is  reported 
thirty-live  miles  from  Nashville.  The  10th  Tennessee  cavalry 
has  received  horses  and  gone  to  the  front,  accompanied  hy  a 
part  of  the  7th  Ohio  cavalry.  Hood's  advance  is  reported 
near  Franklin,  Tennessee,  which  is  on  the  south  bank  of  Little 
Harpeth  river. 

ISovcinber  26. — Camp  Webster  is  a  very  polite  place  to  th 
god  of  rain,  as  it  permits  him  to  enter  crevices  in  the  barracks, 
and  baptize  all  the  occupants  of  these  buildings.  It  is  raining 
heavily. 

fiovcmher  27. — Had  the  founders  of  Nashville  named  it  at 
this  time  of  year,  it  would  have  been  termed  Mud  City  instead 
of  Rock  City.  Forrest  tried  to  cross  Dock  liver  to  day,  live 
miles  below  Columbia,  Tennessee,  but  did  not  accomjlish  his 
object.  The  twenty-third  army  corps,  under  General  Schcheld, 
is  now  at  Columbia.  Hood  is  reported  49,000  strong,  in  the 
rear  of  Forrest. 

JS'ovemher  20. — Appointed  commander  of  one  hundred  Otli 
Ohio  cavalrymen  to-day,  and  drew  one  hundred  and  live  horses, 
seventy-iive  sabres,  and  forty-six  carbines  to  fully  equip  them. 
Great  excitement  prevails  at  Nashville.  Our  three  thousand 
cavalrymen  are  ordered,  by  Colonel  Minor,  commanding  Camp 
Webster,  to  be  ready  for  action  immediately.  Wagons  loaded 
with  commissary  and  quartermaster  stares  are  moving  to  Nasli- 
ville.  Every  preparation  is  made  to  meet  the  enenl3^  The 
Captain  and  forty  men  of  A  company,  7th  Ohio  cavahy,  were 
taken  prisoners  yesterday,  near  Franklin,  Tennessee,  on  Duck 
river. 

November  30. — Captain  J.  Irwin,  of  M  company,  9th  Ohio 
cavalry,  my  senior  officer,  arrived  here  to-day,  and  took  com- 
mand of  my  one  hundred  detached  men.  He  thus  becomes 
the  responsible  person  for  all  the  ordnance  and  quartermaster 
stores  I  have  drawn  for  these  men.  Two  companies  of  the  2d 
Michigan  cavalry,  it  is  reported,  Mere  captured  yesterday  eve- 
iifng  near  Franklin,  previous  to  the  great  battle  which  came  off" 
there  to-day  at  3  F.  M.,  resulting  in  the  disastrous  defeat  of 
Hood's  whole  army.  Before  the  enemy's  attack  wc  constructed 
rille  pits,  and  made  breast  works  in  crescent  shape,  both  ends 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.        131 

resting  on  the  river.  This  gave  us  a  line  completely  covering 
the  town.  Our  army,  under  General  Schotiekl,  had  scarcely 
taken  its  position  when  the  rebel  column  approached,  planted 
batteries  on  all  the  roails  leading  into  Franklin,  and  in  a  grove 
near  our  left.  All  these  batteries  soon  opened  on  our  works, 
and  were  responded  to  by  our  batteries  and  large  fort  pieces. 
Cannister  and  grape  was  poured  into  their  solid  columns  as  they 
advanced,  cutting  them  down  by  scores  ;  yet  the}^  never  halted, 
but,  yelling  like  tigers,  came  steadily  on  untilthey  got  within 
musket  range,  when  our  infantry  poured  Minnies  by  the  bnshel 
into  their  ranks,  mowing  them  down  by  the  hundreds,  nay,  thou- 
sands, until  they  were  checked.  Four  times  Cleburne's  and 
Cheatham's  divisions  charged  our  works  in  front  of  the  second 
division,  twenty  third  corps,  trying  to  pierce  our  lines  at  this 
point  and  get  possession  of  the  pontoon  bridge  across  the  river; 
but  they  were  repulsed  with  terrible  slaughter  each  time.  The 
fighting  soon  became  a  hand  to  hand  conflict,  they  trying  to 
penetrate  our  lines,  and  at  one  place  succeeded  in  obtaining 
entrance,  but  those  who  entered  never  came  out  again,  as  they 
were  all  killed,  wounded,  or  captured.  Notwithstanding  all 
these  repulses  the  enemy  continued  their  desperate  charges 
against  our  lines  until  9  P.  M.,  when,  knowing  they  were  dis- 
astrously defeated,  they  withdrew,  leaving  5,700  prisoners  in 
our  hands.  Our  loss  in  this  gallantly  fought  battle  will  not  ex- 
ceed seven  hundied  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing.  They 
lost  Generals  Cleburne,  Scott,  Adams,  and  Gordon,  and  seventy- 
nine  held  and  line  ofhcers,  killed  ;  and  we  now  hold  one  hun- 
dred and  seventeen  officers,  of  difl'erent  grades,  prisoners.  Gen- 
eral Stanly,  commanding  our  fourth  corps,  received  a  slight 
wound,  and  had  a  horse  killed  under  him.  Our  loss  in  oflicers 
is  large,  considering -the  number  of  men  we  lost.  This  was  on 
account  of  the  men  being  behind  breastworks  and  the  officers 
in  open  view.  Among  the  officers  killed  are  Colonel  Lowry, 
107th  Illinois;  Captains  Bissell  and  Staley,  128th  Indiana,  and 
Captain  Steele,  of  General  Cox's  staff. 

December  1, 1804. — The  forces  engaged  at  Franklin  yesterday 
and  part  of  last  night  withdrew,  and  are  now  in  position  three 
miles  in  front  of  Nashville.     The  newly  mounted  one  hundred 


132        HUMOROUS  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  TOLUKTEES, 

men  of  our  res^iment  were  ordered  ont  at  11  P.  M.,  obtained 
sixty  rounds  of  amunition,  and  moved  out  five  miles  south  of 
Nashville,  on  the  Hardin  Pike,  to  do  duty  there  as  outposts  in 
front  of  General  Smith. 

iJecember  2. — We  barricaded  the  road  with  fence  rails  to-day, 
the  enemy  being  within  less  than  five  hundred  yards  of  our 
position. 

December  3. — -Sent  out  fourteen  men  and  a  sergeant  three 
hundred  yards  in  front  of  our  new  position,  near  where  a  body 
of  the  enemy  was  ambushed.  They  attacked  our  men,  com- 
pelling them  to  fall  back  slowly  until  we  advanced  and  drove 
the  attacking  party  through  the  woods.  The  only  loss  we  met 
with  here  was  the  capture  of  one  of  our  new  men,  named 
Blackstone,  whom  they  murdered  in  cold  blood  as  soon  as  he 
was  taken. 

At  7  A.  M.  the  enemy  fired  on  our  main  outpost,  but  we  re- 
tained our  position  for  an  hour,  w^en  I  advanced,  with  ten  men, 
to  a  vacated  brick  house  on  the  left  of  Hardin  pike,  which  led 
to  rapid  firing  with  but  little  efi"ect  on  either  side.  At  4  P.  M. 
twenty-five  men  of  the  4th  Tennessee  cavaliy  charged  two 
hundred  rebels  ,  half  a  mile  to  the  left,  and  brought  in  four 
prisoners.  The  Nolan  and  Granny  White  })ikcs  were  barricaded 
to-day.  At  6  P.  M.  we  received  an  order  from  General  Smith 
to  move  back  one  mile.  This  placed  us  half  a  mile  in  front  of 
our  artillery. 

December  4i. — The  enemy  planted  two  batteries,  under  Colonel 
Kelly,  at  Bell's  mills,  on  the  Cumberland,  twelve  miles  below 
Nashville,  under  cover  of  which  they  hoped  to  be  able  to  form 
pontoon  bridges  for  their  safe  crossing ;  but  the  gunboats  under 
Lieutenant  L.  Fitch,  soon  destroyed  this  great  rebel  calculation 
by  pouring  a  destructive  fire  into  the  very  mouths  of  the  rebel 
guns  in  the  upper  battery,  then  steaming  down  two  miles  and 
destroying  the  other  one,  Forrest's  cavalry  battery.  Colonel 
Kelley  liad  sworn  that  lie  would  blow  every  gunboat  out  of  the 
river  to  hell,  whenever  an  opportnnity  ofiered  ;  but  lie  was 
compelled  to  change  his  tnne  when  he  came  to  face  the  "  big 
guns."  He  has  been  taught  a  lesson  by  our  gunboats  he  did 
not  quite  expect.  Our  western  river  gunboats  have  nobly  earned 


HUMOKOUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  YOLDNTEEa.        133 

the  praises  bestowed  on  them,  being  celebrated  for  their  prompt- 
ness, skill,  and  bravery  iu  always  performing  the  duty  assigned 
them. 

We  feel  indignant,  some  of  us,  when  we  see  an  officer,  or 
^lan^  under  the  inlkience  of  liquor,  and  think  that  any  person 
indulging  freely  in  alcoholic  drinks  should,  if  a  private  or  non- 
commissioned officer,  be  placed  in  a  guard  house;  and  if  a 
commissioned  officer,  be  summarily,  disgracefully  dismissed 
the  glorious  United  States  service. 

Ordered  out  on  the  Hardin  pike  to  examine  the  rebel  lines, 
I  did  so,  with  twelve  volunteer  skirmishers,  principally  Cincin- 
natians,  who  showed  their  bravery  by  driving  the  rebel  pickets 
into  the  woods.  General  Rucker,  the  noted  white  hoi-§eman,  we 
see  continually  riding  along  his  whole  line,  every  hour  during 
the  day.  This  general  left  with  his  men,  and  dropped  his  gloves, 
with  which  one  of  my  men  presented  me.  The  -ith  Tennessee, 
Colonel  Blackburn,  charged  General  Bedford's  brigade,  next  to 
liucker's,  and  brought  in  two  prisoners,  who  report  Hood  sixty 
thousand  strong,  and  Forrest's  cavalry  twenty  thousand-  Heavy 
skirmishing  to-day. 

December  5. — Tlie  16th  United  States  colored  infantry,  four 
hundred  strong,  yesterday  charged  a  rebel  breastwork  on  a  hill 
not  far  from  Camp  Webster,  captured  sixty  rebels,  and  then 
fell  back  to  their  former  lines.  It  was  discovered  to-daj'  that 
these  same  breastworks  were  re-occupied  by  Hood's  men,  when 
the  colored  troops  again  charged,  killed  nineteen,  wounded 
twenty-eight  men,  and  brought  forty-three  prisoners  into  our 
lines.  This  shows  colored  soldiers  "some  pumpkins"  when 
under  good  leaders. 

Dr.  Buckley's  residence,  on  Franklin  pike,  was  the  great  re- 
sort for  rebel  sharpshooters  until  it  was  shelled  and  torn  down 
to-day.  A  shell  dropped  into  a  private  residence  occupied  by 
females,  on  the  Hillsboro  pike,  which  fortunately  injured  none 
of  the  occupants.  They  vacated  at  once,  however,  and  came 
to  the  city  where  tliey  are  secure. 

The  1st  Ohio  light  artillery  opened  on  the  residence  of  Mr. 
-Joseph  Vaux,  on  the  Franklin  pike,  where  theysavi^  a  masse  of 
rebels  collected,  and  made  that  point  so  hot  that  these  gallant(?) 


134:        HUMOROUS  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

rebs  were  glad  to  escape.  Geuerals  Cheatham  and  Lowry  had 
a  narrow  escape,  when  the  14th  and  16th  colored  troops  made 
a  reconnoisauce  between  the  Chicken  and  Murfreesboro  pikes. 
The  colored  troops  were  under  Colonel  Morgan,  and  were  ac- 
companied by  the  16th  Indiana  cavalry  dismounted,  and  the 
68th  Indiana  infantry,  Colonel  Biddle.  They  advanced  across 
a  hill  near  the  residence  of  Mr.  F.  R.  Rains,  drove  the  enemy 
from  their  entrenchments,  and  captured  a  lieutenant  and  sixteen 
men  of  the  5th  Mississippi  regiment.  This  was  by  order  of 
General  Steedman. 

The  rebels  have  many  sympathizers  in  Nashville,  I  am  sorry 
to  say.  There  are  many  Union  citizens  here,  however,  who 
stand  firm  for  the  government.  Their  confidence  in  our  troops 
is  implicit,  and  they  show  a  deportment  of  exultation  not  wit- 
nessed in  any  other  new  Union  city  in  the  United  States.  They 
know  what  an  able  leader  General  Thomas  is,  and  although 
Foolhardy  Hood  outnumbers  him  in  forces,  yet  there  is  not  a 
possibility  that  he  can  at  all  compare  with  this  antagonistic 
commander. 

Decemler  6. — We  are  not  yet  relieved  like  other  detachments 
on  outpost  duty.  Rations  and  forage  are  scanty,  on  account  of 
our  being  so  far  out  in  front. 

The  rebels  attacked  our  right  wing  with  six  pieces  of  artil- 
lery, at  9  A.  M.,  without  avail,  as  all  our  men  stood  to  their 
posts  without  flinching.  At  10  P.  M.  the  9th  Ohio  cavalry  vi- 
dettes  on  the  right,  whom  I  commanded,  saw  a  squadron  of 
the  enemy's  scouts  advancing  through  the  fields,  crouched  on 
their  horses  in  Indian  style.  Seeing  one  of  their  ofiicers  raise 
his  head  from  the  side  of  his  horse,  the  first  vidette  fired,  when 
all  the  rest  fuUowed  liis  example,  and  drove  them  rapidly  back, 
after  which  our  reserves  came  up  under  Captain  Irwin  and 
Lieutenant  Cochran,  and  learning  the  extent  of  our  success  in 
this  affair,  they  again  fell  back  to  their  proper  posts,  leaving 
the  videtts  to  keep  a  sharp  lookout,  which  they  did,  like  good 
soldiers. 

Beccmher  7. — xVt  5  A.  M.  received  orders  to  fall  in  line,  as  a 
charge  was  expccetd  from  the  gray  horse  rider.  General  Rucker. 
No  charge  was  made,  however,  and  we  were  relieved  at  10  A.  M. 


HUM0E0U8   ADVENTUEES   OF  A  VOLUNTEEK.  135 

Colonel  Minor,  7tli  Ohio  cavalry,  an  able  officer  who  commands 
Fort  Webster,  glories  in  our  detachment,  which  has  done  such 
excellent  outpost  duty  under  General  Smitli,  on  the  Hardin 
pike.  We  were  glad  to  obtain  this  relief,  as  our  horses  were 
pretty  well  used  up  and  tlie  men  needed  rest,  having  been  on 
duty  seven  days  and  eight  nights. 

Decemher  "^ — Our  quarters  are  near  Major  Lieper's,  com- 
manding the  Mississippi  cavalry  division,  near  Colonel  Miner's 
headquarters.  Our  buglar,  a  humorous  fellow,  says  in  case  he 
was  not  a  blower  on  the  bugle,  he  would  now  rank  commanding 
officer  of  all  the  9tli  0.  V.  C,  because  he  has  a  sheep's  head 
in  his  haversack,  and  "two  heads  are  better  than  one,"  all  the 
time. 

December  9. — There  was  a  fight  at  Murfreesboro  yesterday 
between  General  Milroy's  United  States  forces,  and  the  rebels 
under  General  Bates.  General  Milroy  attacked  the  rebel  po- 
sition, and  took  it  after  a  fierce  struggle.  Our  loss  in  killed  and 
wounded  was  one  hundred.  The  enemy's  loss  in  killed  and 
wounded  was  double  that  number.  We  captured  nineteen  com- 
missioned officers,  one  hundred  and  ninety  privates,  two  can- 
nons, and  three  hundred  muskets.  General  Milroy  led  the 
assault  with  skill,  and  returned  to  the  fortifications  at  Murfrees- 
boro. This  adds  very  much  to  (he  credit  of  General  Milroy, 
and  the  troops  engaged  in  the  daring  chastisement  they  gave 
the  enemy. 

December  11. — Captain  Irwin  is  ordered  to  turn  over  the 
horses  and  ordnance  I  drew,  and  he  has  not  yet  receipted'  to  me 
for  them,  and  yet  he  should  be  held  responsible  to  the  govern- 
ment fur  all  these  things. 

December  VI. — Five  rebel  soldiers  were  found  frozen  to  death 
early  this  morning  on  the  Hardin  pike,  three  miles  out  from 
Nashville. 

December  13. — Heavy  firing  on  the  Franklin  pike.  A  colored 
regiment  skirmishing  on  this  pike  captured  seventy-eight  rebels 
whom  they  would  have  shot  in  retaliation  for  their  cold  blooded 
murders  at  Fort  Pillow  but  for  the  interference  of  their  white 
officers,  who  withheld  them,  and  these  prisoners  were  brought  * 
safely  into  our  lines  after  dark,   ^j 


136  HUMOEOUS   ADVENTUKES   OF  A    VOLUNTEEE. 

December  14. — Heavy  skirmishing  has  been  kept  up  all  day. 
The  heaviest  firing  was  between  the  hours  of  6  and  10  o'clock 
P.M. 

Deccmher  15. — Ordered  out  on  the  extreme  left  to  guard  the 
1st  Oliio  light  artillery,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Reckard, 
battery  E.  Drew  one  hundred  rounds  of  cartridges.  Marched 
at  daylight  to  the  left  wing  on  the  Lebanon  pike,  where  all 
were  in  line  of  battle.  The  corps  commanded  by  General 
Steedman  was  on  the  left,  the  fourth  corps  next,  then  General 
A.  J.  Smith's  corps,  the  cavalry,  under  General  Wilson,  on  the 
extreme  right,  while  General  Schoficld's  twenty  third  corps  was 
held  in  reserve. 

About  1  P.  M.  the  order  came  from  General  Thomas  to  ad- 
vance, and  then  our  whole  column  moved  forward.  When  the 
advance  sounded  our  right  wing,  (instead  of  our  left,  as  they 
.thought,)  was  rapidly  advancing  to  crush  the  rebel  left.  This 
doubled  up  a  rebel  division  which  had  been  posted  near  the 
I'iver  to  protect  a  battery  blockading  the  river  about  two  miles 
below  Nashville.  This  battery,  containing  four  guns,  was  soou 
captured  by  the  cavalry,  under  General  Wilson,  and  sent  to  the 
rear.  This  showed  Hood  that  his  idea  of  an  attack  on  his  right 
was  illusive,  and  he  attempted  to  repair  his  blunder,  but  found 
it  too  late.  Our  right  gained  a  firm  foothold  on  the  river  bank, 
the  twenty-third  corps  took  a  position  on  the  extreme  right,  and 
General  Smith  executed  a  half  wheel,  driving  the  rebels  with 
ease,  hill  after  hill  being  taken  with  a  small  k»ss  of  our  men. 
Another  diversion  on  the  left  was  made  to  enable  our  men  on 
the  right  wing  to  strengthen  themselves  in  position  and  make 
ready  for  a  charge.  On  the  left  of  the  fourth  corps  a  strong 
line  of  breastworks,  defended  by  a  heavy  body  of  rebel  skir- 
mishers, was  seen  to  by  General  Wood,  who,  riding  along  the 
lines,  seeing  everything  ready,  gave  the  command,  "  ForAvard  !" 
Hearing  this  our  men  with  alacrity  quick  stepped  until  they 
reached  the  breastworks;  leaping  over  which  they  pushed  for- 
ward until  the  banners  of  the  fourth  corps  waved  proudly  over 
the  captured  entrenchments,  yet  they  still  moved  on,  without 
ordersi,  nearly  to  the  second  line  of  rebel  works,  w'hen,  with  the 
greatest  dilliculty,  their  advance  was  stayed  by  order  of  the 


HUMOROUS   ADVEA^TURES   OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  137 

commauding  general.  When,  accorJing  to  orders,  they  did 
fall  back,  they  brought  with  them  seventy  prisoners,  which, 
with  those  captured  in  the  works,  made  hundreds.  The  main 
rebel  line  of  works  w'as  now  in  full  view  on  a  range  of  hills. 
They  had  been  constructed  with  great  care.  While  the  men 
w^ere  being  again  placed  in  position,  the  cavalry,  under  General 
Wilson,  advanced  until  its  right  rested  on  the  range  of  high 
lands  live  miles  from  the  city,  and  far  enough  from  the  river 
to  give  it  room  to  manouvre  without  difiicnlty,  facing  to  the 
south;  the  corps  of  Generals  Schoheld  and  Smith  parallel  to 
the  left ;  the  skirmishers  having  advanced  to  the  Hillsboro  pike, 
and  finding  refuge  behind  a  stone  fence  ;  the  fourth  corps  was 
foinned  at  right  angles  wdth  the  first  division,  directly  across 
the  Hillsboro  road ;  and  the  other  divisions  to  the  left  of  that 
one. 

While  our  lines  were  forming  and  our  batteries  being  placed 
in  position  the  rebels  could  be  seen  moving  by  the  left  flank 
toward  the  Hillsboro  road,  thus  throwing  their  entire  reserve 
in  front  of  our  right  and  center.  Our  commanders  were  not 
idle,  for  reinforcements  equally  strong  were  sent  to  these  threat- 
ened points  to  conlront  them. 

About  3  o'clock  all  was  ready  for  a  charge  on  the  second 
line  of  works,  which  was  very  strong,  as  it  lay  on  hills  and  we 
had  to  advance  through  open  fields  which  afforded  no  protec- 
tion. No  throw^ing  in  of  a  division  at  a  time.  Massing  Avas 
practiced,  and  our  irresistable  columns  moved  forward  with  a 
force  beyond  the  rebel,  or  any  other,  power  to  check. 

About  4  o  clock  the  charge  was  made.  Tlie  first  and  second 
divisions  of  the  fourth  corps  moved  west,  and  the  third  division 
at  right  angles  ;  on  the  right  of  which  was  the  corps  of  General 
Smith.  The  first  and  second  divisions  of  the  fourtli  corps  had 
the  most  exposed  positions  in  the  whole  line,  as  the  rebel  works 
in  their  front  were  much  stronger  tlian  elsewhere,  although 
there  were  many  very  strong  points  along  the  entire  Confederate 
line. 

The  men  moved  forward  steadily  under  a  shower  of  grape, 
cannister,  and  musketry  which  would  have  been  terrific  but  for 
the  fact  that  we",  by  moving  up  hill,  were  not  in  one  tcntli  part 


138        HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

of  the  danger  we  would  have  been  had  we  charged  across  a 
level  field,  as  the  shot,  in  the  former  case,  went  nearly  all  too 
high.  When  within  a  hundred  and  fifty  yards  of  the  rebel 
works,  the  fire  was  terrible,  but  as  there  was  no  turning  back, 
a  shout  was  raised,  and,  our  long  lines  closing  up,  all  pushed 
forward.  Upon  reaching  the  works  our  men  applied  the  bay- 
onet, although  volley  after  volley  met  them  before  the  open 
space  was  gained.  After  this  the  rebels  could  be  seen  flying 
in  the  wildest  confusion,  until  they  all  broke,  and  we  captured 
four  12-pound  Napoleon  guns  and  four  hundred  prisoners,  with 
a  large  quantity  of  small  arms.  Some  of  these  prisoners  said 
that  Hood  looked  upon  this  point  as  inaccessible  to  any  number 
of  men  that  could  be  brought  against  it,  and  expected  an  easy 
repulse  to  tlie  Yankees.  Simultaneously  with  this  capture  Gen- 
erals Schofield  and  Smith  advanced  south  of  the  Hillsboro  pike, 
and  captured  an  entire  battery,  and  seven  hundred  prisoners ; 
which  made  twelve  hundred  prisoners  and  eighteen  cannon, 
while  we  did  not  lose  three  hundred  in  kilh^l  and  wounded. 
The  15th  Ohio  infantry,  Colonel  Askew,  of  Colonel  Straight's 
brigade,  captured  a  battery  of  five  guns  on  the  Granny  White 
pike. 

Our  gunboats  shelled  the  rebels  all  day,  and  drove  them  from 
the  river.  The  colored  regiments,  under  General  Steedman, 
charged  on  Rains's  bluff,  and  utterly  routed  the  rebel  line  there. 
Colonel  Shafter's  regiment  lost  nearly  all  its  officers,  killed  and 
wounded.  Fort  Negly  did  excellent  service,  and  killed  and 
wounded  many  of  Hood's  men.  Our  9th  Ohio  cavalry  breast- 
works are  on  the  Lebanon  pike,  directly  opposite  the  residence 
of  Mr.  Taylor,  an  old  man,  formeily  the  close  neighbor  and 
friend  of  General  Andrew  Jackson.  This  old  man  is  a  strong 
Unionist,  and  told  the  rebel  leaders  so  three  years  ago. 

"  If  General  Jackson  were  living  now  he  would  hang  Jeff. 
Davis  higher  than  Haman,"  said  this  truthful  old  gentleman  to 
a  rebel  olliccr. 

The  1st  Ohio  light  artillery  takes  excellent  aim  at  the  rebel 
entrencliments,  the  bulls  striking  their  rifle  |)its  every  time  they 
fire.  We  all  reel  ])r()iid  to  be  aware  of  the  fact  that  Ohioans 
make  good   soldiers  wherever   they  are  placetl,  no  matter  how 


HDMOEOUS  ADVENTUEE8  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.        139 

dangerous  a  position  tlicy  may  occupy.     The  rebel  defeat  was 
crushing  to-day. 

December  16. — Hood  fell  back  four  miles  last  night  to  a 
strong  position  on  a  range  of  hills ;  his  right  on  a  hill  which 
covered  Franklin  pike  ;  his  center  nearly  opposite  an  open  corn 
field,  through  which  our  men  would  have  to  charge,  with  a 
a  strong  line  of  double  breastworks,  strongly  defended  by  in- 
fantry and  artillery,  on  his  left ;  leaving  a  space  open  by  which 
to  retreat  toward  Franklin,  if  necessary. 

About  8  A.  M.  our  troops  advanced,  General  Smith's  corps 
on  the  right,  covering  Granny  AVhite  pike  ;  next  General  Wood's 
4th  corps,  the  first  division  in  the  center,  commanded  by  Gen- 
eral Kimball,  the  second  division.  General  Elliot,  on  the  left, 
and  the  third  division,  General  Beatty,  .on  the  right.  General 
Steedman's  corps  was  instructed  to  join  the  fourth  corps.  The 
tw^enty-third  corps  was  to  join  the  reserves  near  the  right  of 
General  Smith,  to  be  brought  into  use  for  flanking  purposes. 
The  cavalry  was  sent  to  Ilillsboro  pike,  to  intercept  the  rebel 
retreat,  and  worry  the  enemy's  flanks.  The  Confederate  lines 
did  not  extend  over  a  mile  and  a  half,  as,  the  ground  favoring 
them,  they  had  contracted  their  wings.  Their  wagon  train  was 
on  the  Franklin  road. 

Throwing  out  a  heavy  line  of  skirmishers  our  men  passed 
out  beyond  the  Thompson  place,  when  the  rebel  skirmish  line 
came  into  full  view,  six  miles  from  Nashville.  Here  a  halt  was 
ordered,  and  all  our  batteries  needed  were  brought  to  the  front 
and  began  shelling,  to  which  military  summons  the  enemy  an- 
swered feebly,  not  from  a  lack  of  artillery,  but  to  keep  the  po- 
sitions of  their  guns  concealed,  and  to  save  amunition.  The 
twenty-third  corps  moved  out  on  the  Granny  White  jtike,  and 
remained  cpiiet  until  secret  signals  were  g-iven,  when  they  were 
to  move  forward  on  the  Confederates  with  all  the  vigor  in  their 
powc:r. 

General  Steedman  moved  on  the  Murfreesboro  pike  until  he 
was  satisfied  no  rebel  force  impeded  that  maich,  when  he  lialf 
wheeled  his  column,  and  moved  in  tlie  direction  of  the  Fiankiin 
road,  to  tuiti  Hood's  right,  and  form  a  junction  with  tiio  lourlh 
corps.     He  met  but  little  resistance  until  ho  formed  a  juuetiuij> 


14:0        HUMOKOUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

at  about  half  past  2  P.  M.,  when  he  was  confronted  by  Lee's 
corps,  every  man  of  which  was  ready  to  fight  as  long  as  he    \ 
conld. 

While  these  flanking  movements  were  in  progress  the  first 
division  of  the  fourth  corps  advanced  to  capture  the  first  line 
of  rebel  works.  This  division  charged  through  a  wood,  which 
was  a  poor  shelter  for  assailants,  over  an  ascent  of  ten  degrees, 
and  very  strong  fortifications.  These  gallant  men  moved  on 
with  shouts,  fired  a  volley,  fixed  their  bayonets,  slightly  halted 
when  half  way,  J^re-loaded,  fired  another  volley,  and  charged. 
There  was  no  more  halting  until  our  men  were  close  on  to  the 
'rebel  works,  when  the  storm  of  bullets  was  apalling.  Our  men 
halted  until  the  rebels  raised  a  shout  of  triumph,  which  mad- 
dened the  assailants,  who  now  rushed^up  to  the  worlds,  planted 
their  standards  on  thera,  and  the  flying  rebels  got  a  discharge 
fjom  two  of  their  own  loaded  cannons  which  sent  man}'  more 
of  them  to  the  earth  never  to  rise  again.  This  hot  work  cost 
us  nearly  two  hundred  men. 

About  3  o'clock  Generals  Schofield  and  ^teedman  reported 
that  they  were  ready,  the  signal  was  given,  and  the  twenty- 
third  corps  greeted  Hood's  left  wing  with  a  volley  which  called 
out  all  their  artillerj^  and  musketry  that  could  be  brought  to 
bear.  One  rebel  battery,  the  2d  Maryland,  which  had  been 
concealed  not  farther  than  three  hundred  yards  from  General 
Thomas's  headquarters,  was  managed  with  cousuraate  skill,  but 
seeing  this  secrecy  useless,  it  became  publicly  vigorous.  There 
were  four  pieces  in  front,  so  placed  as  to  play  on-  either  Gen- 
eral Schofield's  advancing  columns  or  the  headquarters  of  Gen- 
eral Thomas,  two  pieces  being  pointed  in  each  direction  and 
worked  ra|)idly. 

General  Schofield  was  gaining  ground  rapidly,  when  Smith's 
corps,  laying  at  right  angles,  was  ordered  forward,  and  both 
corps  assailed  three  or  four  batteries  at  once,  with  Cheatham's 
and  Stewart's  Corps  supporting  and  bearing  the  brunt  of  Scho- 
field's and  Smith's  veteians.  Our  brave  men  captured  every 
cannon  in  the  hands  of  these  rebel  generals,  six  hundred  of  . 
their  men,  ten  battle  flags,  and  broke  their  center  and  left,  be- 
fore the  general  pursuit  began.     General  Steedman,  on  our  left, 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTUBE3  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.        141 

wIuIg  the  above  fighting  was  progressing^successfully  charged 
Lee's  corps,  (the  euemy's  riglit,)  and  drove  tlieni  in  every  direc- 
tion. 

All  the  reserves  were  brought  into  action  about-  5  P.  M.,  a 
little-  before  which  General  Whittaker's  iron  brigade  struck  tiie 
only  part  of  the  rebel  line  which  had  not  been  brc^kcn  yet,  cap  • 
turing  four  guns  and  400  prisoners.  The  iron  brigade  is  one  of 
them,  sure. 

After  this  the  rebel  retreat  became  a  route,  ^[any  of  them 
threw  down  their  arms  and  surrendered.  Our  men  pursued 
with  a  will,  fatigued  as  they  Avere,  gatliering  up  prisoners  by 
thousands,  and  pouring  volley  after  volley  into  Hood's  miscel- 
laneous disorderly  crew,  who  were  iiying  like  kites,  yet  very 
liable  to  a  downfall  from  the  swift  northwestern  winds  pursuing 
them  on  a  stormy  errand.  Generals  Smith,  Johnson,  Eiicker, 
Jackson,  and  Stewart  surrendered,  with  r.early  hve  thousand 
privates  and  five  hundred  and  forty-one  commissioned  ohicers, 
of  all  grades,  and  forty-eight  pieces  of  artillery.  Our  entire 
loss  will  not  reach  one  thousand,  while  the  rebel  loss  in  killed 
alone  will  nearly,  if  not  quite  reach  tluit  number,  beside  their 
other  losses. 

Previous  to  this  complete  route  of  the  enemy,  our  cavalry, 
ten  wellmonnted  regiments  underGeneialKnipe,passcd  through 
the  gaps  on  the  Ilillsboro  pike  where  they  went  to  cut  off  the 
rebel  retreat.  General  Hatch's  cavalry  division,  ten  regiments, 
held  the  passes  of  the  hills  until  they  licard  the  charge  we 
made,  when  they  moved  rapidly  on,  captured  one  hundred  and 
seventy-nine  Tith  Tennessee  Confederate  cavalrymen,  and  three 
hundred  and  seventeen  other  rebels  befoie  they  joined  General 
Knipe,  near  Brentwood.  All  our  mounted  cavalry,  under  Gen- 
eral Wilson,  are  now  doAvn  in  that  region  to  cut  olf  Hood's  re- 
treat. 

Cheatham  promised  his  men  a  sjilondld  Christmas  day  in 
Nashville,  and  nearly  live  thousand  of  his  men  will  realize  his 
promise  ;  they  will  spend  Christmas  in  Nashville — under  guard 
as  prisoners. 

December  17. — AVent  toward  Quartermaster  Wilson's,  but 
found  the  pontoon  bridges  were  ordered  away  ;  when,  returning 


142        HUMOKOUS  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

to  Camp  Webster,  I  overtook  a  large  squad  of  3''ouug  darkiea 
returning  to  their  homes  on  the  Lebanon  pike,  led  by  an  old 
negro  who  had  been  Hood  winked  by  the  rebels  a  few  days 
since,  and  "now,"  he  said,  "  was  mity  glad  dat  de  Yanks  had 
done  Clieat-'em  all  'bont  carr'in'  de  poor  old  nigs  off,  in  dar 
Brag-a-doo  sail  stvle,  'way  from  dis  ere  Nash-ional-ville  city 
massa^  keah,  heah,  heah." 

I  could  not  help  being  pleased  at  these  dark  clouds  escaping" 
from  slavery,  and  their  knowledge  of  the  thrashing  we  gave 
Hood's  army  yesterday  and  the  day  before.  Our  cavalry  cap- 
tured two  thousand  seven  hundred  skedaddling  rebels  last  night 
near  Franklin,  and  sent  a  lot,  four  hundred  and  seventeen  strong, 
who  arrived  here  to-day,  in  charge  of  a  lieutenant  and  sixty 
men. 

Colonel  Minor  sent  out  forty  six  men  to  tear  down  the  bar- 
racks at  Camp  Webster.  Saw  General  Rucker,  wlio  made 
himself  so  conspicious  when  we  were  on  the  Hardin  pike  by 
his  riding  a  giay  horse    continually  up  and   down   his   lines  in 

our  front. 

Let  Rucker,  the  sucker 

Of  southern  dishes, 
While  in  the  vile  East  awhile,    . 

Just  suck  at  our  fishes; 

So  't  is  quite  a  "  biz" 

For  tables  unvarnished 

To  seem  a  bright  beam, 
.In  a  kitchen  that 's  tarnished. 

December  18. — Raining  heavily.  It  afi'ords  a  good  chance  to 
a  retreating  army  who  has  no  bridges  to  cross,  as  the  pursuers 
have  to  be  drawn  up  in  line  of  liattle  frec(uently,  and  as  tlie 
roads  arc  almost  impassible,  the  iields  and  hills  give  the  enemy 
a  facility  to  escape  which  they  would  not  have  if  the  weather 
only  ^continued  clear  and  sunshine  prevailed.  Our  cavalry  can 
only  annoy  its  flanks  by  trotting  or  galloping  along  the  roads 
in  a  line  parallel  with  that  followed  by  the  hurriedly  retreating 
enemy. 

Our  cavalry  has  blockaded  nearlj^  all  the  roads,  capturing 
eleven  hundred  prisoners,  yesterday,  who  would  have  escaped 
had  they  not  been  so  sevcrtdj^  handled  by  our   mounted  men. 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUKTEEB.        143 

Hatcher's  division  attacked  General  Clialmcr's   command,  of 
Forrest's  cavalry,  yesterday,  and   captnred   Generals  Rucker, 
Johnson,  and  Smith,  with  hundreds  of  their  officers  and  men 
so  it  is  impossible  to   overrate   the  operations  of  onr  monnted 
men. 

The  direct  pursnit,  by  General  Thomas,  Avas  kept  up  until 
midnight  last  Friday,  when  our  men  bivouacked  after  cui)turin;^' 
an  entire  brigade  of  Stewart's  corps.  At  daylight  yesterday 
morning  the  cavalry  was  out,  and  the  infantry  moved  forward 
through  rain  and  mud  as  fast  as  they  could  under  the  circum- 
stances. The  Johnnies  are  captured  by  scores,  and  droves  of 
them,  under  guard,  arrive  at  Nashville  hourly. 

Hood  some  time  since  declared  he  would  redeem  Tennessee 
from  Federal  bondage.  The  only  method  he  has  left  is  to  stand 
once  more,  dispute  General  Thomas's  advance,  and  try  it  at 
Hollow  Tree  gap,  near  Franklin,  the  strongest  position  left  his 
retreating  forces  in  the  State. 

December  20. — Rain  has  changed  to  snow,  mud  to  ice,  and 
the  9th  Ohio  cavalry  their  quarters  across  the  Cumberland  river, 
close  to  the  dismounted  2d  Tennessee  cavalry.  It  is  God's 
providence  that  children  visiting  newly  vacatad  cavah-y  camps 
are  not  often  killed,  as  some  of  the  men  may,  through  negli- 
gence, leave  some  cartridges  behind  them,  which  the  children 
finding  near  still  burning  fires,  throw  them  into  the  flames  and 
run  nearly  as  much  danger  as  if  they  were  lired  at  by  parties 
two  hundred  yards  distant. 

A  report  comes  here  that  the  rebels  attacked  General  Rous- 
seau at  Murfreesboro,  last  Thm-sday,  and  got  from  that  gallant 
general  and  his  forces  as  good  a  whipping  as  they  deserved  in 
making  so  brave  an  effort. 

Dccevihtr  22. — General  Thomas  had  his  headquarters  at  Co- 
lumbia, yesterday,  following  Hood,  who  is  getting  away  as  fast 
as  he  can. 

Captain  Irwin  received  orders  to  rejoin  General  Sherman, 
and  obtained  transportation. 

December  23. — Stopped  at  a  house  in  Nashville  where  I  saw 
Mr.  Julius  Peterson,  of  Rochester,  New  York,  who  told  me  a 
story,  which,  if  true,  condemns    all   parties   concerned,  except 


144        HUMOKOUS  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  TOLUNTEEB. 

the  sergeant  ayplied  to.     Brigadier  General  G u,  New  York 

State  Militia,  offered  a  sergeant  in  his  brigade  a  pass  of  south- 
ern Jetr.  Davis's  certain  manufacture,  and  five  hundred  dollars, 
if  he  would  act  as  a  spy  for  Jeff.  Davis.  The  raan  this  pro- 
posal was  made  to  is  Richard  Booth,  orderly  sergeant  of  Cap- 
tain Brewer's  company,  12th  New  York  State  JNIilitia,  who  is 
from  Syracuse,  and  enlisted  for  three  months.  This  general  is 
said  to  have  ])resented  his  revolver  at  the  head  of  his  pretended 
partner  in  California,  and  by  this  means  forced  a  settlement  in 
his  own  favor.  Such  a  follow  deserves  hanging  or  a  similar 
punishment,  if  all  this  is  true. 

Decemher  2-i. — Started  on  the  Louisville  and  Nashville  rail- 
road for  Louisville  at  5  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  stopped  at  Bowling 
Green,  as  General  Lyon  destroyed  the  railroad  bridge  near 
Sonora,  ten  miles  from  Elilzabethtown,  Kentucky,  and,  this  de- 
tained all  trains  on  the  road,  whether  they  were  going  north  or 
south. 

December  25. — Bowling  Green  is  "one  of  them,"  in  regard  to 
different  opinions  about  war  or  peace.  Here  are  secesh  and 
Union  men  and  women,  good  q.nd  bad.  Among  the  latter  class 
is  a  peranibulat'ug  lady,  who  carries  thirty  bottles  of  whisky 
between  her  dross  and  crinoline  equipment,  which  dress  has 
thirty  holes  made  secretly  in  it,  in  order  to  make  it  easy  to  get 
at  the  aforesaid  whisky.  Any  soldier  slie  meets  who  wishes  to 
purchase  one  of  the  bottles  with  its  contents  does  so.  She 
sells  ra})idly,  and  makes  lai-ge  profits,  as  she  has  never  been 
caught  in  this  act  against  military  law,  which  reads  as  fol- 
lows : 

"  No  soldier  is  allowed  to  buy  or  sell  whisky  in  any  sluipe, 
and  if  any  soldier  is  caught  in  this  act  he  will  receive  a  well 
merited  punishment." 

Deceinher  26. — There  was  some  fighting,  yestetda}^,  near 
Elizabethtown,  between  Lyon's  rebel  forces  and  General  Mc- 
Cook's  men,  whicii  resulted  in  a  heavy  loss  to  Lyon  and  caused 
a  quick  retreat.  A  rebel  mnjor,  one  captain,  one  lieutenant, 
and  seventy  men  of  Lyon's  force  were  capturedby  sixty  of  the 
Mumfordsville  cavalry  guards,  and  were  brought  in  here  to- 
day. 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTUBE8  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.        145 

Tills  morning  while  waiting  for  breakfast,  with  several  others, 
at  the  Depot  Tavern,  a  tall,  well  dressed  man,  named  Mr.  Mc- 
Cullough  entered  the  apartment,  saying  : 

"Good  morning,  gentlemen ;  the  bad  weather  seems  chano"- 
ing  for  the  better  this  Christmas  day,  which  many  of  ns,  who 
are  near  home,  are  glad  to  see." 

"  Yes,  yes ;  no  doubt  some  of  us  seem  exalted  over  more 
changes  than  the  weather,"  answered  an  old  Kentucky  gentle- 
man passenger,  with  acrimony,  which  brought  our  e3^es  on  the 
parties  speaking.  The  result  of  this  little  cross  firing  was  the 
exit  of  Mr.  McCullough,  who  opened  the  front  door  and  walked 
out,  after  which  the  old  gentleman  said: 

"  I  thought  so  at  first.  Tiiis  man  is  a  butternut,  and  I  cracked 
a  shell  near  him  to  let  him  know  my  feelings  about  eatables  in 
war  times.  That  dodger  is  a  spy,  or  I  am  no  judge  of  human 
nature." 

Being  the  only  officer  present  I  could  not  hear  this  without 
seeing  what  my  duty  was,  so  I  followed  Mr.  McCnllough,  ar- 
rested him,  and  made  him  prove  who  and  what  he  was.  He 
soon  did  this  by  immediately  obtaining  military  and  civil  evi- 
dence of  his  true  Unionism. 

December  27. — Laid  over  last  night  at  Bacon  creek  station, 
fifteen  miles  from  Murfreesboro.  Crossed  the  burned  bridge  at 
9  A.  M.,  where  one  hundred  and  ninety  of  pur  men  were  cap- 
tured last  Friday.  Arrived  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  at  5  o'clock 
P.M. 

Decemhe.r  28. — Obtained  transportation  to  New  York  via 
Cincinnati. 

December  29. — Arrived  in  Cincinnati  at  4  A.  M, 

Jinuary  1,  1865. — Spent  a  happy  New  Year  at  home  in  Cin- 
cinnati. How  I  wish  all  our  noble  men  could  enjoy  such  a 
treat,  but  this  can  not  be  while  war  lasts. 

January  2. — Started  with  ten  men  on  the  Little  Miami  rail- 
road at  4  o'clock  P.  M.  Arrived  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  during  the 
night. 

January  3. — Saw  Captain  White,  acting   assisstant  adjutant 
general  at  the  capitol  building,  one  of  the  most  reliable  gentle- 
nien  I  have  had  the  good  fortune  to  become  sliglitly  acquainted 
10 


146        HUMOROUS  ADYENTUEES  OF  A  TOLUNTEEK. 

with.     Left  Columbus  at  2:10  P.  M.,  and  reached  New  York 
city 

Janurry  5. — Got  transportation  to  Hilton  Head  on  the  steam 
ship  Fulton. 

January  9. — Departed  at  4  o'clock  P.  M.  for  Hilton  Head 
South  Carolina. 

January  10. — There  is  twelve  hundred  men'  and  forty-three 
officers  on  this  vessel,  including  Brigadier  General  Vancleveer, 
formerly  Colonel  of  the  9th  Iowa,  and  Brigadier  General  Hanon, 
of  Indiana.  These  are  both  good  commanders,  kind  to  all  the 
men,  and  humane  in  every  sense  of  the  word.  The- 9th  O.  "V". 
C.  has  one  hundred  and  forty-three  men  outboard.  We  have 
several  bounty-jumpers  here  whose  stealing  proclivities  lead 
all  men  to  despise  them  as  they  ought  to  do.  Heavy  seas  pre-- 
vail  to-day  and  cause  considerable  sea-sickness. 

January  11. — Raining  at  sea  keeps  the  boisterous  waves 
from  covering  the  ship.  We  have  a  three  masted  schooner  in 
tow,  which  makes  the  Fulton  run  much  slower  than  usual  as 
she  is  noted  for  her  speed.  The  sun  came  out  at  10  o'clock  A. 
M.,  which  reminded  some  of  us  of  Shakspeare  when  he  placed 
the  following  words  in  the  mouth  of  Kichard  III. 

"  Now  is  the  winter  of  our  discontent, 

Made  glorious  summer  by  this  son  of  York, 
And  all  the  clouds  that  hover  o'er  our  house,    - 
Are  in  the  deep  bosom  of  the  ocean  buried." 

The  ignorance  of  many  of  us  on  board  on  naval  affairs  is 
clearly  shown  in  the  following  true  story: 

The  ship's  bell  had  just  struck  wlicn  a  sailor  near  a  crowd  of 
soldiers  called  out,  "six  bells,  mon,"  whereupon  a  certain  gent 
near  him  said,  "  Hello  !  is  there  Belles  on  board  here  ?  I  didn't 
know  thai  before  !  I  thought  ladies  didn't  go  to  sea  at  this 
time  of  year.  They  are  intimate  friends  of  sailors  alone.  Say, 
sailor,  aint  that  so?  If  not  I  should  like  an  immediate  intro- 
duction to  them.  Cant  I,  sailor?"  The  sailor  addressed  here 
answered,  "  Why,  sir,  the  bells  are  intimate  acquaintances  of 
sailors,  as  you  say;  but,  to  obtain  an  introduction  I  advise  you 
to  go  forward  to  the  Mate,  tell  him  so  and  he  will  introduce 
you  in  a  straight  forward  manner,  and  keep  you  strictly  attached 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.        117 

to  each  other  until  we  reach  our  port."  Loud  hiughtcr  ensued 
after  this  conversation  terminated,  and  Jack,  the  sailor,  moved 
off  with  a  big  supply  of  new  quids  of  tobacco  to  freshen  his 
appetite. 

Janxiary  VI. — A  Major  and  Surgeon  had  quite  a  beneficial 
conversation  this  evening  in  the  cabin  about  poor  deluded 
females  being  led  astray  by  smooth-tongued  fellows,  who  cause 
more  trouble  and  sorrow  in  families  than  any  other  class  of 
men.  "  Fathers,"  said  the  Major,  "  who  have  daughters  should 
see  that  tlicy  associate  with  no  other  persons  than  those  who 
are  well  known,  respectable  gentlemen  ;  who  move  in  good 
society,  not  because  they  are  wealth}^,  but,  because  thej-  are 
known  to  be  high  minded  men  of  moral  worth.  These  men 
are  of  the  right  stripe,  and  if  no  introductions  were  made  of 
any  others  then  illicit  intercourse  between  the  male  and  female 
sex  would  be  ended  forever.  This  now  prevails  to  a  horrid 
extent  among  tlie  codfish  aristocracy;  and,  unfortunately,  poor 
people  are  often  led  astray  by  belief  in  the  sayings  and  doings 
of  these  very  suddenly-made  rich-by-spcculation-pcople." 

These  sayings  were  correct  to  a  great  extent,  and  proved  the 
Major  an  intellectual,  moral  minded  man,  whom  all  should 
respect. 

January  13. — Got  to  Hilton  Head  at  1  o'clock  P.  M.,  and 
were  immediately  transferred  t©  a  tug  which  carried  us  to  Fort 
Thunderbolt  four  miles  from  Savannah,  in  four  hours.  On  our 
way  we  met  three  steamships  loaded  with  troops  for  Beaufort, 
S.  0.  Got  into  Savannah  river  were  rice  fields  occup}^  each 
bank  for  miles.  Fort  Thunderbolt  is  a  vciy  ju-oper  name  for 
the  place  v.'e  landed,  as  it  is  a  thundering  locality  for  oysters.^ 
the  men  living  Avell  on  bivalves,  which  they  can  obtain  in  largo 
numbers  when  the  tide  ebbs. 

January  11. — AA"e  have  just  heard  of  some  more  of  Wheeler's 
rascally  operations — nothing  less  must  be  expected  of  them, 
however.  He,  the  vaunted  rebel  general,  made  his  prisoners 
(few  in  number)  dig  their  own  graves,  so  that  his  own  pup])ies 
will  have  no  more  trouble  after  their  cold-blooded  murder  than 
covering  up  his  victims  with  loose  earth. 

Arrived  at  Savannah,  four  miles  fiom  Fort  Thuuderbolt,  and 


148        HUMOKOUS  ADVENTDKES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEK. 

there  I  saw  our  cavalry  hero,  Gen.  Kilpatrick,-who  immediately 
obtained  a  railroad  train  and  had  us  taken  out  to  his  head- 
quarters, from  which  we  walked  four  miles  to  our  regiment,  on 
the  King's  bridge  road  nine  miles  from  Savannah,  where  we 
arrived  at  6  o'clock  P.  M. 

January  15. — Found  my  old  regiment,  the  5th  O.  V.  C,  two 
hundred  yards  from  the  9th  0.  V.  C,  and  saw  Pat  Dignan, 
Teddy  Saunders,  Mike  Conelly,  Sam.  Howell,  First  Lieutenant 
Overturf,  and  hospital  steward  Smiley,  who  had  all  becoiiie_ 
veterans.  Pat  sent  a  handsome  present  to  my  soldier  boy 
Johnny.  Saw  Colonel  Hamilton,  commanding  the  9tli  0.  V. 
C,  and  found  what  had  been  told  me  at  Columbus  was  true. 
This  reminded  me  ol  a  dreamish  thought  1  had  there  which 
proved  correct.  It  was  seemingly  between  two  individuals, 
one  of  whom  was  nearly  always  in  the  front,  and  the  other, 
■promoted  one^  was  scarcely,  if  ever,  there. 

There's  a  lieutenant  here, 
A  shrewd  one  I  think. 

Whose  want  of  promotion  arises  from  drink. 
From  drink,  sir,  didst  say?     Then  surely  such  means 
Eeminds  me  of  strictness  of  age  over  teens. 
Display  then  no  anger  o'er  juniors,  to-day, 
They  've  grown  from  green  grass,  sir,  to  newly  mown  hay. 
Let  wisdom  preside  near  by  Mars  in  a  gale. 
The  ship  which  is  safest  is  undej  close  sail. 
Remember,  Lieutenant,  bye  players  at  cards. 
Can  lead  hands  well  trumped,  sir,  by  hundreds  of  yards. 
And  now  I  '11  no  more,  so  farewell,  sir,  till  time 
Improves  us  in  person,  in  prose,  and  in  rhyme. 

JTeard  a  strong  lecture  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clark,  Chaplain  of 
the  10th  O.  V.  C,  spoken  near  headquarters  of  the  9l^d  Illinois 
Infantry,  which  regiment  is  with  the  9tli  and  5th  O.  V.  C.  in 
the  third  brigade,  third  cavalry  corps,  under  Gen.  Kilpatrick. 
This  Chaplain  was  a  prisoner  for  five  months  at  Anderson ville, 
Ga.,  under  the  stars  and  bars,  viz:  Confederate  flag. 

I  have  now  been  in  the  cavalry  service  since  Sept.  17,  1861, 
and  never  saw  stronger  breastworks  than  the  rebels  built  near 
Savannah  on  the  King's  bridge  road  previous  to  their  evacua- 
tion of  that  city.  Saw  a  large  lot  of  poles  rolled  into  hoops, 
six  feet  long,  two  hundred  yards  south  of  the  works  above  men- 


HUMOROUS    ADVENTURES    OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  149 

tioned  works.  These  hoops  were  strongly  braced  by  inter- 
mixing- them,  and  they  were  rolled  on  towards  the  breastworks 
by  Gen.  Sherman's  men,  until  Messieurs  Chivalreaux  evacuated 
their  strong  premises  at  night,  and  took  to  hoop-rolling  them- 
selv.es  by  good  running.  They  even  left  their  cannon  service- 
able es  they  rapidly  departed,  to  avoid  Yankee  fighting  pro- 
clivities. Here  they  thought  truly  of  Solomon's  saying:  "Much 
stud}'  is  a  weariness  to  the  flesh." 

^'January  17. — Mr.  Collins  (not  Wilkie)  gave  us  a  humorous 
war  speech,  which  kept  his  hearers  in  laughter  while  he  de- 
livered this  "  laugh  and  grow  fat  "  oiatoin.  After  telling  his 
happy  escape  from  rebeldom,  his  treatment  and  that  of  others 
there,  near  him,  he  spoke  of  some  people  at  home  and  said : 
"Copperheads,  like  river  ducks,  go  down  openly,  but  it  is 
impossible  to  tell  where  or  when  they  will  raise  to  view  again. 
See  the  Vallandighamites !  what  do  look  like  ?  I  can  tell  you. 
They  seem  to  me  like  the  buzzards  that  flock  around  the  car- 
cass pulling  away  -until  gorged,  and  are  never  satisfied,  and  as 
"  birds  of  a  feather  flock  together,"  they  are  known  by  the 
company  they  keep. 

"  Cyrus  was  beloved,  because  he  himself  had  a  love  for 
others:  for,  has  a  man  any  friends,  or  does  he  deserve  to  have 
any,  when  he  himself  is  void  of  friendship?" 

'•  Consilii  quainvis  egregii  quod  ipse  non  aff'errett  inimicusP 

After  several  other  humorous  stories  he  gravely  related  the 
hardships  he  underwent  in  the  rebel  prison  for  months  after 
his  capture  at  Dalton,  Ga.,  and  how  Southern  women  seemed 
alarmed  at  some,  so  called,  Yankee  proceedings  in  Dixie.  He 
said: 

"A  M'oman  living  near  Atlanta,  before  we  took  it,  had  a 
handsome  daughter  of  'sweet  sixteen,'  whom  we  often  heard 
saying: 

"'Oh,  ma,  when  are  the  Yankees  coming  to  ravish  us  all? 
We  hear  of  their  coming  nearer  here  every  day,  and  all  of  us 
girls  are  waiting  impatiently  to  know  all  about  it,  and  find  out  if 
tiie  Yanlgccs  really  will  dp  as  much  badness  to  us  as  people  say 
they  will.' " 

Here  this  gentleman  finished  amid  loud  laughter,  by  saying 


150        HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEB. 

he  had  written  a  book  which  contained  more  hiughable  incidents 
than  he  had  here  related,  and,  having  a  number  of  them  close 
at  hand,  if  any  of  his  hearers  desired  to  purchase  the  book, 
all  they  would  be  expected  to  do  would  be  to  pay  $1  20  for 
it.    ^ 

January  17. — Heard  this  evening  of  the  capture' of^  I'ort 
Fisher,  on  the  15th  inst.,  by  General  Terry's  force,  assisted  by 
Admiral  Porter's  fleet.  The  assault  was  led  by  General  Ames's 
division,  and  the  second  brigade  of  the  lirst  division  of  the 
twenty  fourth  army  corps.  General  Ourtis's  first  brigade  of 
Ames's  division  efiected  the  first  lodgement  on  the  parapet,  and 
had  full  possession  at  10  P.M.,  after  the  severest  lighting  under 
disadvantages  of  j)Osition  that  would  make  lookers  on  consider 
this  one  of  the  most  heroic  achievements  this  great  war  has 
yet  broug-lit  into  view.  Federal  Point  is  also  captured  and  is 
now  in  the  hands  of  the  brave  soldiers  of  the  United  States. 
General  Terry  captured  the  rebel  Generals  Whiting  and  Lamb, 
two  thousand  Wvq  hundred  prisoners,  and  seventy-two  guns. 
How  tlie  rebels  can  stand  all  tiie  whiijpiugs  we  have  given  them 
I  can  not  see,  indeed. 

Again  saw  Colonel  Hamilton,  who  again  spoke  of  some  tales 
le  had  heard  of  my  easy  way  with  my  company,  and  their 
abusive  language  in  my  absence.  I  immediately  tendered  ray 
resignation.  As  a  matter  of  course  I  said  no  more,  but  thought: 
"^  quoi  cela  sert-iW 

January  19. — Sorrow  clouds  ray  brow  continually  as  I  think 
day  and  night  of  my  tendered  resignation.  I  have  been  easy 
with  my  men  I  admit;  yet  not  too  easy,'because  a  better  fight- 
ing or  more  obedient  company  than  my  "Cincinnati  bummers" 
I  never  saw  3^et  as  long  as  1  have  been  in  tiie  service.  When 
any  chaugcrous  detached  service  is  ordered,  G  company  is  oftener 
called  on  than  anj^  other  conipan}'-  in  this  regiment.  I  like  my 
men  too  well  to  part,  and  I  would  not  do  so  under  any  other 
circumstances  if  1  could  avoid  it.  Preparations  are  making  to 
move  by  order  of  General  Sherman.  Lucky  are  all  men  who 
arc  under  this  general,  for  he  is  one  of  the  most  gifted,  well 
beloved,  model  generals  of  this  age.  May  he  ever  lead  his 
men  to  glorious  victories  and   soon  end  this  execrable  war,  I 


HUMOROUS   ADVENTURES   OF  A  YOLUNTEEK.  151 

liiimbl}'  pray  my  Heavenly  Father.  The  capture  of  Fort  Fisher 
makes  Wihnington  ours,  and  places  blockade  runners  all  in  a 
small  box,  leaving  foreign  and  native  speculators  ashore  instead 
of  afloat. 

January  20. — liained  all  night,  and  considering  the  swampy 
nature  of  the  ground,  and  muddy  state  of  all  the  roads  near 
here,  it  will  be  impossible  to  move  our  forces  for  a  few  days  to 
come. 

January  21. — Went  to  Savannah,  and  found  the  roads  in 

very  bad  order,  yet  the  twentieth  corps  is  now  moving.     Some 

more  of  my  Cincinnati  recruits  have  arrived  here,  which  shows 

that  Cincinnati  "  bummers"  are  on  hand  as  soon  as  others,  when 

^needed. 

Met  several  old  and  young,  male  and  female  refugees  on  my 
way  to  camp,  who  all  seemed  very  need}^,  3xt  joyful  at  their 
fortunes  in  being  once  more  under  the  stars  and  stripes,  in 
Union  hands. 

Obtained  my  resignation  papers  to-day,  and  leave  my  men 
to-morrow  with  profound  regret.  I  love  my  good  soldierly 
buys  too  well  -to  part  with  them  easily  ;  and,  also,  ray  country's 
service  I  adore  to  such  a  degree  that  I  am  determined  to  enter 
the  cavalry  again  as  a  private,  in  an  Ohio  regiment,  whenever 
an  opportunity  offers  itself  after  I  get  to  Cincinnati. 

January '^'i. — Bade  all  my  men  farewell;  told  them  I  had 
resigned,  and  they  expresed  their  sorrow,  not  only  in  words, 
but  in  compelling  me  to  accept  remembrance  gifts  in  Confed- 
erate notes,  Planters'  bank  of  Savannah  checks,  a  captured 
double  barreled  gun,  a  southern  officer's  sabre,  and  various 
other  things  I  felt  compelled  through  my  feelings  to  accept 
with  heartfelt  thanks.  Farewell,  my  boys;  may  God  reward 
you  wherever  you  are.  May  you  always  prove  yourselves 
worthy  the  consideration  of  your  native  State,  and  receive  the 
Mud  treatment  of  the  officers  appointed  over  you  as  you  de- 
serve. 

Here  I  give  the  names  of  my  best  living  members  of  com- 
pany G,  9th  Ohio  cavalry: 

Orderly  Sergeant  D.  Kennedy.  ^' 

Privates. — Austin  ,E.  Wight,  T.  Croniu,  John  Curliss,  J.  P. 


152        HUMOEOUS  ADVENTUKES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEE. 

Barrington,  G.  W.  Davis,  W.  Traxe]],J.  A.  Mfice,  J.  Kiitter, 
H.  Stall],  M.  Baker,  Frank  Goodwin,  Thomas  Ilurtt,  J.  W.  F. 
Johnson,  F.  Flarfi',  and  Adolph  St.  Clair. 

I  hope  they  will  never  quit  the  service  until  their  time  ex- 
pires, although,  against  my  own  desire,  I  have  resigned.  T"a- 
t-il  rien  de  si  atnerl 

January  23. — Left  Savannah  at  1  P.  M.,  on  the  short  screw 
steamship  Perrit,  for  New  York  ciry.  There  were  seventeen 
steamships,  six  river  steamers,  and  thirty-seven  sea  vessels  lying 
at  Savannah  wharf  w^iien  we  left.  The  river  here  reminds  one 
of  the  Mississippi,  the  color  of  the  water  looking  alike,  and 
its  width  generally  about  the  same.  Fort  Jackson,  three  miles 
below  Savannah,  is  on  the  right  bank,  and  must  be  a  strong- 
place.  It  has  now  twenty  guns,  and  is  held  by  Union  forces. 
The  river  is  blocked  below  here,  and  torpedoes  were  s©  placed 
that  unless  all  these  obstacles  were  removed  not  even  a  well 
laden  skifl'  could  pass  with  safety.  These  obstructions  being 
all  taken  away  now,  it  is  easy  for  vessels  of  ail  sizes  to  pass 
unmolested. 

January  24. — A  heavy  wind  blows  N,  W.  to-day,  and  causes 
this  short  ship  to  tumble  from  side  to  side  like  a  heavily  rocked 
cradle,  and  fore  and  aft  also,  like  a  kangaroo  running  on  a  wide 
plain. 

A  handsome  young  lady,  placed  in  care  of  a  resigned  major, 
is  on  board  going  to  New  York.  Her  mother,  Mrs.  Meeker  is 
at  Athens,  Georgia,  staying  there  until  her  daughter.  Miss  Ro- 
salia, gets  safely  to  her  family  home  in  New  York  city.  Miss 
Rosalia  is  a  young  lady  of  talent.  She  speaks  grammatically, 
and  is  well  posted  in  many  things  which  have  transpired  at 
home  and  abroad  for  several  years.  This  young  Ij^dy  is  a  strong 
Unionist,  which  we  are  all  glad  to  know,  as  she  is  worthy  of  a 
"  Union"  with  any  gentleman  wearing  stars  on   his  shoulders. 

"  This  is  a  queen  by  full  and  free  cotisent; 
Firm,  self-reliant,  haughty  if  slie  please. 
Among  her  compeers  moving  with  such  ease 
That  nameless  grace  to  every  step  seems  lent." 

IIow  monotonous  a  sea  voyage  sometimes  is   to  homesick 


HUM0E0U3  Adventures  of  a  volunteer.  153 

persons  on  board  a  slow  moving  vessel.  "  Nothing  to  view  but 
sea  and  sky."  No  one  must  think  my  loneliness  is  brought 
about  by  Miss  Rosalia  being  confiened  to  her  stateroom  by  mat 
de  mere  or  stomachic  sea  sickness.  O,  nro.  I  am  a  married 
man  and  can  not  lovingly  think  of  any  other  lady  while  apart 
from  my  own  wife. 

January  25. — We  are  now  in  the  Gulf  Stream,  under  a  strong 
north  wind,  and  now  this  vessel  adds  large  supplies  to  her  roll- 
ing stock  capacity,  and  seems  the  most  obedient  vassal  the 
wind  and  waves  possess,  as  she  turns  to  shownearly  every  part 
of  her  body  alternately  to  each,  and  never  fails  to  show  her 
exhibitions  of  obedience  on  both  sides  when  other  vessels  are 
non-obeying  in  that  style.  A  supercargo  on  -board  this  ship 
says  he  has  made  fifty  voyages  on  both  steam  and  sailing  ves- 
sels, and  he  never  experienced  such  rolling  at  sea  as  he  now 
does  on  board  the  Perrit. 

Left  the  Gulf  Stream  to-day  at  1  P.  M.  Any  person  observ- 
ing the  vapor  arising  from  this  Gulf  Stream  alone,  and  none 
from  the  part  we  have  just  entered,  will  think  it  very  strange, 
as  the  Gulf  Stream,  now  one  mile  off  from  us,  looks  like  a  sea 
covered  with  ice.  The  cause  of  this  is  a  fog  arises  from  the 
Gulf  Stream  because  it  is  warmer  than  the  temperature  of  the 
air,  and  all  the  other  parts  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean  that  are  near 
it. 

This  scene  makes  an  impression  on  some  miuds  that  will  not 
soon  be  obliterated. 

January  -6. — Change  of  wind  again.  It  is  now  blowing  a 
northeast  gale,  which  is  against  us.  JMet  the  steamships  Illi- 
nois and  Fulton  ;  the  latter  bound  for  Hilton  Head,  the  former 
for  New  York.  Miss  Rosalia  is  up  this  morning ;  health  re- 
turning like  bloom  to  roses  in  early  spring.  Wishing  to  borrow 
something  to  read.  Captain  Delanay,  commander  of  thePeriit, 
obtained  a  book  for  her.  This  captain  is  a  thoroughbred  gen- 
tleman, and  is  worthy  of  all  praise  on  shore  as  well  as  at  sea. 
He  was  telling  us  passengers  in  the  cabin,  to-night,  how  he 
used  to  go  to  Sunday  school  when  he  was  a  boy,  and  often  to 
camp  meetings.  At  one  of  these  camp  meetings,  a  large  num- 
ber of  pretty  girls  being  there,  a  parson  present  sceiug  them, 


154        HUMOEOUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  YOLUNTEEfi. 

said  smilingly,  and  with  a  great  degree  of  wliat   the  captain 
called  worldliness : 

"  Here  men  are  pure  angels,  worship  them  like  this  ;"  and  he 
kissed  one  of  these,  girls  saying  :  "  Here,  Miss,  is  yom-  pres- 
ent." 

After  this  the  parson  mounted  the  rostrum,  said  a  prayer,  and 
then  commenced  a  sermon,  which  having  ended,  he  gruffly 
said : 

"Hearers,  there  is  a  d — d,  double  jointed,  unmistakal}^  mis- 
erable hypocrite  as  ever  laid  a  prayer  before  his  Maker,  now 
near  you  all  here,  who  used  to  take  up  the  cross  at  revivals  be- 
cause he  was  paid  $1,800  a  year  for  his  telegraph  wires  from 
Norfolk  to  hellto  bespeak  the  devil's  aid  in  his  exhortations. 
One  Sunday  his  church  being  crowded,  when  I  entered  to  hear 
this  reverend  parson,  I  had  not  room  to  sit  down.  So  standing 
awhile,  and  listening  in  a  place  close  to  the  pulpit,  the  parson, 
gazing  at  me  two  or  three  times,  with  an  over  excited  will  ex- 
claimed : 

"  'Here  is  one  devil  from  hell  who  thinks  his  breeches  are  so 
very  clean  that  he  is  afraid  his  master  in  the  hot  furnace  below 
will  completely  clean  him  out  if  he  only  attempts  to  dirty  them 
by  kneeling  before  his  great  Maker.' 

"  Hearing  this  plainlj^,  and  seeing  many  an  cj'e  cast  toward 
me,  I  left  the  church  amid  the  loud  titters  of  the  congregation, 
thinking  mj'self  like  one  of  the  convulsionists  of  St.  Medard, 
who  just  had  heavy  blows  performed  upon  his  physical  system 
by  an  assistant  who  employed  blunt  or  rounded  weapons,  which 
can  not  compare,  in  regard  to  danger,  with  thongs,  switches, 
etc." 

January  27. — Reached  Highland  Lights  at  10  A.  M.  and 
New  York  city  at  5  P.  M. 

Vihruary  1. — Arrived  at  my  home  in  Cincinnati,  at  1:2  M. 

luhmaiy  7. — Gave  my  papers  to  Metzger,  Striblen  &  Co.,  to 
collect  my  pay  from  government,  with  a  full  determination  to 
enter  the  cavalry  service  again  as  soon  as  my  vouchers  and 
certificates,  sent  to  Washington  city,  clear  me  of  all  indebted- 
ness to  the  government,  and  leave  me  free  once  more  to  act  for 
myself.   ^ 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A'TOLUNTEER.        155 

t 

March  20,  1S65. — Saw  Pat  Dignan,  of  H  company,  5tli  Ohio 
cavalry,  who  informs  me  that  he  was  captured  near  Edisto 
riv.er,  tha27th  of  February,  three  weeks  after  Lieutenant  Grif- 
fin, chief  of  Kilpatrick's  scouts,"  was  killed  near  Wallesboro, 
South  Carolina,  after  capturing  that  place  and  driving  Wade 
Hampton's  cavalry  company  of  eighty  men  through  a  pine 
woods  before  them.  Lieutenant  Griffin  was  an  able  man,  deeply 
regretted,  and  was  carried  into  camp  and  buried  with  the  hon- 
ors of  war.  His  sudden  death  was  deeply  felt  by  the  entire 
command,  as  they  all  knew  him  to  be  one  of  the  bravest  and 
best  scout  leaders  with  the  whole  western  army.  Three  of  the 
enemy  were  killed,  six  wounded,  and  twenty  captured  in  the 
skirmish  previous  to  the  mortal  wound  received  by  Lieutenant 
Griffin. 

I  also  saw  two  men  of  mine,  named  James  P.  Barrington 
and  J.  McDonald,  who  were  captured  last  February,  near  Sis- 
ter's Ferry,  South  Carolina.  Barrington  and  Corporal  Wight, 
of  G  compan}'',  and  four  other  men,  were  taken  prisoners  at  the 
same  time,  by  Captain  Masdon,  of  the  53d  Alabama,  and  they 
were  brought  through  the  Avoods  by  this  execrable  Masdon's 
company  of  rebels,  until  secure  from  sight,  as  they  thought, 
Masdon  ordered  Wight  to  dismount,  but  only  giving  this  order 
from  pretense,  the  scoundrel  shot  Wight  through  the  kead, 
killing  him  instantly,  then  searched  the  dead  man's  pockets, 
mounted  his  horse,  and  ordered  his  men  to  put  any  Yankee 
prisoner  to  immediate  death  if  he  uttered  one  word  against 
Confederate  principles,  or  showed  a  sign  of  escaping  movements 
•while  on  the  march.  This  grand  rebel  feat  of  chivalry  occurred 
eleven  miles  south  of  Sister's  ferry.  Such  a  villain  as  Masdon 
murdering  in  cold  blood  so  able  a. soldier  as  Austin  E.  Wight, 
for  no  reason  whatever,  deserves  to  die  the  death  of  a  mad  dog 
wherever  met. 

Corporal. Wig^it  should  have  been  first  duty  sergeant  of  G 
company  long  since,  and  would  have  been  so,  had  I  the  au- 
thority to  raise  him  in  rank,  six  months  ago.  Like  Trollope 
contributing  to  the  literature  of  England  by  familiarizing  the 
Anglo-Saxon  mind  with  the  genius  and  aspirations  of  Italy, 
Wight    contributed  to  the  knowledge  of  cavalry  soldiers  by 


156        HUMOROUS  ADVENTUKES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

layinf;:  clown  the  duties  and  needed  principles  of  obedience  to 
orders  and  knowledge  of  cavalry  tactics.  May  he  rest  in 
peace. 

April  2,  1865. — In  addition  to  my  humble  diary,  I  hereafter 
add  the  true  statements  of  reliable  correspondents  concerning 
what  transpired  in  the  western  army  after  my  resignation  at 
Savannah. 

A  Goldsboro  correspondent  nnder  date  of  March -25,  1S65, 
says : 

"  The  rebels  have  about  twelve  thousand  cavalrymen,  under 
Wheeler  and  Hampton,  in  our  front.  Yesterday  they  hanged 
three  of  our  foragers  within  less  than  tAvo  miles  of  our  out- 
posrs. 

"  Kilpatrich  engaged  part  of  this  force  yesterday,  but  the  re- 
sult is  not  known." 

The  Herald's  correspondent- gives  full  details  of  the  battle  of 
Bentonville : 

"Our  line,  at  2  P.  M.,  was  two  miles  long.  During  the  day 
the  enemy  made  five  grand  attempts  to  pierce  this  line,  at  dif- 
ferent points. 

"  The  first  attempt  was  made  upon  the  point  held  by  Cogges- 
*^  well's  brigade,  and  Hardee  and  Hoke  led  the  charge.  The 
reblels  moved  forward  gallantly,  firing  but  little,  as  if  determ- 
ined to  crush  our  line  by  mere  weight.  They  were  received 
with  a  furious  fire,  but  bowed  their  heads  and  came  on,  and 
penetrated  between  Cogge^well  and  Mitchell,  and  got  to  the 
rear  of  General  Mitchell's  brigade,  but  neither  of  them  gave 
way. 

"The  fighting  was  terrific.  Mitchell  put  his  brigade  in  the 
form  of  a  parallelogram,  fighting  on  all  sides.  Coggeswell's 
men  lay  in  the  water,  firing  on  the  rebels  whenever  they  could 
be  seen.  The  enemy  passed  around  Mitchell,  and  struck  Van- 
dorvecr's  and  Fearing's  brigades  in  the  rear,  pressing  them  so 
hard  they  were  compelled  to  jump  their  breastworks  to  repel 
the  assault." 

Another  correspondent  under  date  of  Newborn,  N.  C,  March 
28,  says: 

"Sherman's  armies  are  now  taking  a  brief  repose.     They  are 


HUMOROUS   ADVENTURES   OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  157 

mucli  in  need  of  clothing,  shoes,  and  other  necessaries  prior 
to  striking  the  finishing  blow  to  the  rebelion  and  the  Confeder- 
acy. 

"Another  batch  of  five  hundred  Confederate  prisoners  arrived 
here  from  Goldsboro  on  Sunday,  nearly  all  of  whom  desire  to 
take  the  oath. 

"Sherman's  men  v/ent  into  camp  here  with  an  abundance  of 
fresh  pork,sweet  potatoes,'etc.,  which  they  had  confiscated  freely 
along  the  route." 

INTERVIEW    BETWEEN    GENERALS    KILPATRICK    AND    WHEELER. 

"  Nothing  of  interest  occurred  until  the  27th  instant,  save 
crossing  the  north  fork  of  the  Edisto  river  and  the  Salnda  river. 
On  that  day,  owing  to  the  many  reports  concerning  the  capture 
and  murder  of  men  belonging  to  his  command,  General  Kil 
patrick  arranged  for  an  interview  witli  General  Wheeler,  at 
Lancaster,  in  regard  to  an  order  from  General  Sherman  that 
prisoners  in  our  possession  should  be  shot  in  retalliation  for 
the  murder  of  our  men  by  Wheeler. 

"  This  answered  a  double  purpose  :  first,  giving  an  opportu- 
nity for  a  more  perfect  understanding  relative  to  the  alleged 
atrocities;  and,  second,  causing  the  enemy  to  believe  ouripoint 
of  attack  to  be  Charleston. 

"The  interview  was  very  pleasant,  considering  the  circum- 
stances, and  had  the  desired  efiect.  Wheeler  positively  asserted 
his  total  ignorance  of  cold  blooded  'atrocities,  and  he  scarcely 
believed  any  organization  under  his  command  would  be  guilty 
of  such  henious  ofienses,  and  would  endeavor  to  learn  if  there 
was  any  truth  in  it. 

"Owing  to  the  bad  condition  of  the  roads,  the  command  did 
not  move  until  about  noon. 

"General  Atkins,  on  the  right,  while  preparing,  was  attacked 
by  the  enemy  in  considerable  force.  The  attack  spread  to  the 
first  brigade,  Colonel  Jtaxlan,  and  for  a  time  it  was  liardlj  known 
what  was  the  real  intention  of  tlie  enemy.  It  turned  out,  how- 
ever, to  be  a  mere  feint  or  feeling  of  our  lines,  in  order  to  find 
Kilpatrick's  true  position.  They  drew  off  without  making  any 
further  demonstrations." 


158  HUMOKOUS   ADVENTUKES   OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

CATALRT  BATTLE  NEAR  FAYETTEVILLE,  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

"Nothing  of  importance  occurred  from  this  point  save  the 
grand  advance  of  our  army  upon  Fayetteville,  in  which  oc- 
curred one  of  the  most  stubbornl}?-  contested  battles  of  the  war, 
and  in  which  tw'o  brigades  of  our  cavahy  held,  and  finally  drove 
from  their  camp  in  confusion,  Wade  Hampton's  entire  cavalry 
corps. 

It  was  discovered  on  the  9th  instant,  that  Hardee  was  making 
forced  marches  to  reach  Fayetteville  in  advance  of  the  infantry 
of  General  Sherman.  General  Kilpatrick  at  once  put  his  col- 
umn in  motion  to  strike  Hardee  in  flank,  or  intercept  Wade 
Hampton,  who  was  following  in  tlie  rear  with  his  cavalry. 
General  Kilpatrick  reached  Coleman's  grove  just  after  Hardee's 
rear  had  passed.  General  Wade  Hampton  was  a  few  hours 
behind. 

"Our  cavalry  had  not  all  come  up  yet,  owing  to  the  bad 
state  of  the  roads ;  Colonel  Spencer's  brigade,  and  Colonel 
Way's  command,  were  at  once  placed  in  position  and  waited 
the  attack  of  the  rebel  cavaliy.  Just  before  daybreak  on  tlie 
morning  of  the  10th  instant,  and  before  the  brigades  of  Colo- 
nel Aridns  Colonel  Jordon  had  arrived,  Hampton  came  in  front 
of  Kilpatrick's  position  and  massed  his  troops,  consisting  of 
three  divisions,  under  Hume,  Allen,  and  Butler.  The  attack 
was  made  in  three  columns.  Wheeler  led  the  right,  Hampton 
the  center,  and  Butler  the  left,  and  was  perfectly  irresistable. 
Kilpatrick's  first  line,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Way,  was  act- 
ually ridden  over,  headquarters  and  artillery  captured,  and  at 
one  time,  the  entire  camp,  including  the  entire  staff,  and  Colo- 
nel Spencer,  commanding  the  third  brigade,  were  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  enemy.  But  General  Kilpatrick  made  his  escape? 
joined  the  brigade  of  Colonel  Spencer,  which  was  falling  back 
on  foot,  stubbornly  disputing  every  inch  of  ground.  A  large 
portion  of  the  enemy  halted  in  and  about  the  camp,  for  a  mo- 
ment, to  plunder.  This  was  fatal  to  him.  Little  Kilpatrick's 
brave  cavalrymen  rallied  under  the  leadership  of  their  tried 
commander,  retook  the  hills  upon  the  left,  and  then,  with  one 
wild  shout,  swept  down  upon   the  rebels,  M'ho  were  swarming 


HUM0K0U8   ADVENTURES    OF  A  VOLrNTEER.  159 

about  the  captured  artillery  and  Kilpatricks  former  headquar- 
ters. 

"  In  a  moment  the  artillery  was  in  their  possession  and  turned 
upon  the  enemy.  At  this  moment  the  general's  red  battle  flag-, 
recaptured  from  the  enemy,  floated  out  in  presence  of  friend 
and  foe.  The  men  were  now  perfectly  wild  with  excitement, 
and  when  their  commander  rode  along  the  line  and  shouted  to 
them  that  the  day  was  theirs,  they  could  not  be  restrained,  but 
dashed  forward,  drove  the  enemy  from  every  quarter,  and 
eventually  from  the  held.  Our  total  loss  did  not  exceed  one 
hundred. 

"The  enemy  left  upon  the  field  a  large  number  of  ofBcers, 
and  seventy  six  soldiers,  dead,  besides  many  wounded,  and  at 
the  lowest  estimate  could  not  have  lost  less  than  six  hundred 
killed  and  wounded.  The  whole  affair  was  brilliant,  and  reflects 
credit  on  the  cavalry,  and  adds  yet  another  laurel  to  the  many 
won  by  them  since  leaving  the  hills  of  Georgia."' 

PRESIDENT  LINCOLN  ON  THE  MILITARY  SITUATION. 

Some  western  friends  of  the  President  were  recently  talking 
with  him  about  Sherman's  grand  march.  The  conversation 
turned  upon  the  danger  which  Sherman's  troops  would  encoun- 
ter from  the  rebels  M-hen  the}'  approached  near  enough  to 
Richmond  to  enable  Lee  suddenly  to  reinforce  Johnston.  One 
of  the  interlocutors  said  : 

"  Mr.  Lincoln,  as  Sherman's  army  advances  the  rebel  forces 
necessaiily  concentrate  and  increase  in  numbers.  Before  long 
Sherman  will  drive  the  columns  of  Johnston,  Bragg,  Hoke,  and 
others,  within  a  few  day's  march  of  Lee's  main  army.  May  not 
Lee  suddenly  march  south  with  the  larger  portion  of  his  arm}', 
form  a  junction  with  Johnston's  troops,  and  before  Grant  can 
follow  any  considerable  distance,  strike  Sherman's  column  with 
a  superior  force,  cut  his  lines,  defeat  his  aimy,  drive  its  frag- 
ments toward  the  coast,  and,  with  his  whole  army,  give  battle 
to  Grant,  and  perhaps  defeat  him?"' 

"And  perhaps  not,"  replied  the  T*resid*ntJ  "  Napoleon  tried 
the  same  game  on  the  British  and  Prussians  in  1815.     He  con 
centrated  his  forces,  fell  suddenly  on   Bluchcr,  and  won   an  in- 


k 


IGO  HUMOROUS   ADVENTUSE8   OF  A    VOLUNTEER. 

decisive  victory.  He  then  whirled  around,  attacked  tlie  British, 
and  met  his  Waterloo.  Bonaparte  was  hardly  inferior  to  Lee  in 
military  talent  or  experience.  But  are  you  sure  that  Lee's 
forces  united  with  Johnston's  could  heat  Sherman's  army? 
Cuuld  he  p;ain  his  Ligney  before  meeting  his  Waterloo?  I  tell 
you,  gentlemen,  there  is  a  heap  of  fight  in  a  hundred  thousand 
western  veterans.  They  are  a  good  deal  like  old  Zach  Taylor 
at  Buena  Vista — they  do'nt  know  when  they  are  whipped." 

We  partake  of  the  President's  faith,  and  with  liin\  believe 
there  is  a  heap  of  fight  in  a  hundred  thousand  western  veter- 
ans. 

LINCOLN  ON  THE  BATTLE  FIELD. 

We  learn  from  an  officer  just  arrived  from  the  front,  tliat  on 
Saturday,  shortly  after  the  battle  commenced,  w^hich  resulted  so 
glorionsly  for  the  Union  arms  in  front  of  Petersburg,  President 
Lincoln,  accompanied  by  General  Grant  and  stafl',  started  for 
the  battle  field,  and  reached  there  in  time  to  witness  the  close 
of  the  contest,  and  the  bringing  in  of  prisoners.  His  presence 
recognized  created  intense  enthusiasm.  He  rode  over  the  field, 
listened  to  the  report  to  General  Grant  of  General  Parke,  of, 
the  ninth  corps,  and  added  his  thanks  to  this  gallant  general 
for  the  great  service  he  had  rendered  in  staying  the  fierce  on-; 
slaught  of  the  rebels,  and  capturing  so  many  of  their  number." 

EULOGY  ON  SHERMAN. 

The  Opinione  Aaiiotiulc^  Paris,  Prince  Napoleon's  organ, 
eulogizes  General  Sherman's  operations  and  tactics  in  the  high- 
est terms,  and  accuses  the  rebels  of  having  fired  Charleston.  It 
adds : 

"They  never  have  been  anything  but  rebels  against  a  just 
government,  having  for  their  watchword,  'slavery.'" 

That  is  exactly  true. 

BATTLE  OF    BENTONVILLE,  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

The  Tribune's  Goldaboro  correspondent  gives  the  following 
account  of  the  movements  of  those  gallant  officers,  Sherman 
and  Schofield: 


HUMOBOUa   ADVElsTTUSEa   OF.  A  yOJLUNTEEB,,  l&V 

■  General  Cox  advanced  from  Kingston  toward  Goldsboro  on 
Sunday  morning.  The  remainder  of  the  corps  followed  oQ; 
Monday  morning.  The  enemy  had  already  fallen  back,  leaving 
the  road  clear,  but  destroying  bridges  and  culverts.  A  body 
of  the  enemy's  cavalry  disputed  our  advance.  On  Sunday 
communicatiun  was  opened  with  Sherman.  General  Scholield 
sent  Captain  Twining,  with  an  escort,  who  succeeded  in  reaching 
his  headquarters.  Meantime  Sherman's  scouts  arrived  at 
Schofield's  headquarters,  bringing  word  tliat  his  advance  waa- 
within  fifteen  miles  of  Smithfield.  Sherman  had  encountered, 
but  slight  opposition,  Hamptou's  and  Wheeler's  cavalry,  occai 
sionally  trying  to  check  his  advance.  .,  ,i 

"On  Sunday  afternoon  the  enemy  made  a  stand  about  fifteen' 
miles  southeast  from  Smithfield,  wliere  a  line  of  strongly  in- 
trenched fieldworks  had  beeff  thrown  up,  and,  with  batteries  in 
position,  opened  upoa  General  Sherman.  The  twentieth  corps, 
forming  the  center,  was  first  engaged;  the  fourteenth  corps, 
constituting  the  right,  and  the  seventeenth  corps,  the  left,  were 
advanced  and  a  brisk  engagement  followed,  in  which,  although 
the  rebel  army  was  heavily  engaged,  our  own  loss  was  quite 
small.  ., 

"  Meantime  General  Scholield  pushed  forward  rapidly.  The 
advance  of  General  Sherman  on  the  enemy's  right,  in  the 
direction  of  Smithfield  and  Raleigh,  made  it  necessary  for  the 
enemy  to  fall  rapidly  back  to  cover.  At  these  points  General, 
Schofield  continued  to  press  them  throughout  Alouday,  and  on 
Tuesday  he  entered  Goldsboro.  On  Tuesday  General  Sherman 
advanced  again,  and  skirmished  with  the  rebel  rear  guard  until 
reaching.  Beutonvillc.  Here^.tl^.e  enemy  had  .|ntr^nched,,tbe 
other  side  of  Mill  creek.  ,.  ,-j 

"The  twentieth  corps  was  the  first  engaged..    At  noon  a  sharp, 
battle  was  progressing  along  the  whole  line«-j  [,.[r,.To;)  y.  \'ff 

"  Kilpatrick's  cavalry  was  actively  occupied  on  the  left  ilank.^ 
The  twentieth  corps  suffered  a  temppravy  check,  but  the  fou^r-^ 
teenth  corps,  coming  up  ip  ,gQ9^.time,  Ue.U  the  ground.  Tlj^^ 
seventeenth  corps  was  advanced  to  the  support  of  the  four- 
teenth and  twentieth  corps,  and  succeeded  in  turning  tlie  rigbt;,^ 
of  the  enemy,  cpmpellipg  him  to  gi:^o  way.  Th(S  eovmy  alan- 
11  


162  HUMOEOUS   ADVENTUEES   OF  A  VOLUNTEEfi.' 

doned  his  works,  passed  through  Smithfield,  retiring  toward 
Raleigh.  Sherman  followed  up  the  retreating  army,  and  entered 
Smithfield  without  further  opposition.  Sherman's  cavalry  was 
in  Troy,  North  Carolina,  a  few  days  since,  and  one  wing  of  his 
army  was  moving  on  Fayettevillc,  one  on  Goldsboro,  and  the 
other  on  Raleigh.  Yesterday  afternoon  the  mayor  of  Kinston 
surrendered  the  city  to  our  forces. 

"The  bridge  being  burned  prevented  our  forces  from  cross- 
ing, but  pontoons  were  soon  sent  up  for  that  purpose.  The 
enemy  retreated  rapidly  from  Kinston  to  Goldsboro.  A  report 
states  Sherman  to  be  in  possession  of  Goldsboro.  The  enemy 
left  seven  hundred  of  their  dead  on  the  field  before  crossing 
the  river. 

A  BULL  FROM   GENEEAL  LEE. 

In  his  report  of  Hampton's  alleged  victory  of  the  10th  of 
March,  18G5,  General  Lee  sa3'8 :  ''^  '-.'"•' 

'■'General  Hampton  attacked  General  Kilpatrick  this  morning 
at  daylight,  and  drove  him  from  his  camps,  taking  his  guns 
wagons,  many  horses,  etc.,"  and  adds,  "the  guns  and  wagons 
could  not  be  brought  off  for  want  of  horses." 


Tliis  is  the  old  story  of  the  Arkansas  lawyer  and  the'  iron 
pot: 

"  May  it  please  your  honor,  I  submit,  in  defense  of  my  client, 
first,  that  when  she  borrowed  the  pot  in  question,  it  was  broken  ; 
secondly,  that  when  she  returned  the  pot  it  was  sound  ;  arid 
thirdly,  that  she  never  had  the  pot  at'all." 

The  Richmond  Sentinel  of  the  23d  says: 

"  When  Sherman's  army  captured  Columbia,  the  reason  the 
State  house  was  not  burned  was  because  Sherman  could  not 
spare  the  powder." 

When  General  Sherman  was  encamped  at  Fayetteville  he 
had  a  long  conversation  with  a  prominent  arid  wealthy  citizeo, 
who  has  two  sons  in  high  command  in  the  rebel  army.  The 
old  gentlemen  said  many  true  and  sensible  things. 

"  Sir,"  said  he,  embodying  the  gist  of  his  conversation  in  a 
nutshell,  "every  life  that  is  hereafter  lost  in  the  conflict  is 
murder.      We   have  fought-  you  bravely,  but  our  strength   is 


HUMOROUS   ADVENTUEE8    OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  163 

exhausted.  We  have  no  resources.  We  have  no  more  men. 
The  contest  was  unequal.  You  have  conquered  us.  It  is  best 
to  submit  and  make  wise  use  of  the  future.  We  would  have 
peace  were  it  not  for  that  vain,  obstinate,  ambitious  man,  Jefl'. 
Davis.  I  am  not  in  excitement,  nor  anger,  when  I  assure  you 
that  a  large  number  of  our  people  curse  him,  not  only  with 
their  hearts,  but  with  their  lips.  His  haughty  ambition  has 
been  our  ruin." 

Goldsboro,  the  scene  of  Sherman's  last  operation,  is  on  Neuse 
river,  and  is  the  terminus  of  the  North  Carolina  railroad  to 
Raleigh.  Before  the  war  broke  out  it  was  a  very  flourishing 
town  of  three  thousand  inhabitants.  Since  the  outbreak  it  has 
been  strongly  fortified  and  held  by  the  rebels  as  an  important 
point. 

The  Charlotte  South  Carolinian  says  : 

In  the  light  at  Bentonville,  two  corps,  under  Slocum,  and 
Kilpatrick's  cavalry,  were  held  in  check,  by  a  brigade  under 
command  of  Colonel  Albert  Rhett,  for  five  hours,  when,  being 
reinforced  by  another  brigade,  the  Yankees  were  repulsed. 
Colonel  Rhett  was  missing,  and  their  loss  was  about  five  hun- 
dred, while  ours  was  fully  three  thousand. 

The  Newbern  Dispatch  of  the  20th  says : 

Supplies  are  being  rapidly  forwarded  to  Sherman's  army. 
Transportation  is  abundant.  The  Sanitary  Commission  agents 
are  also  actively  at  work.  The  number  of  refugees  attaching 
themselves  to- this  army  is  enormous. 

It  appears  that  the  evacuation  of  Kinston  by  the  rebels  was 
a  grand  mistake,  as  Bragg  denies  having  ordered  it,  but  Iloko 
produced  a  telegram  sustaining  his  action.  An  entire  rebel 
brigade  attempted  to  desert  between  Kinston  and  Raleigh,  in 
consequence  of  which  they  had  a  fight  with  other  rebel  troops. 

The  advance  of  General  Sherman  towards  Columbia,  South 
Carolina,  caused  the  rebels  to  remove  prisoners  confined  there 
to  Charlotte. 

Sherman's  operations. 

City  Point,  March  29,  18G5. 

\SonorabU  E.  M,  Stanton^  Secretary  of  War  :  I  am  in  receipt 


IM'  HFMOEOtrS   ADVENTUEE8   OF  A  VOLUNTlKEB^^ 

of  Sherman's  report  from  the  time  he  leftFayettevilleuptoth^ 
22d  instant.  iojjjmjo.)  ov^tl  moY.     Av.v-  Ja'tlnco  od'l' 

It  shows  hard  fighting,  resulting  in  very  heavy  losses  to  the' 
enemy  in  killed  and  wounded,  and  over  three  thousand  prisoners 
in  our  hands.  His  own  loss,  he  says,  will  be  covered  by  two 
thousand  five  hundred  men,  since  he  left  Savannah.  Many  of 
these  are  but  slightly  wounded, 

(Signed)  U.  S.  GRANT, 

Lieutenant  General;' 

Johnston's  entire  force  confronted  Sherman  at  Smithfield,  yet 
they  could  not  withstand  our  fighting  proclivities  in  an  open 
field  ;  and  to  secure  their  own  lives,  as  many  of  them  thought, 
they  coolly  murdered  many,  very  many,  of  our  men.  On  the 
line  of  march  here  to-day,  we  foiind  thirteen  of  our  foragers 
murdered.  Seven  of  them  were  Ijying  beside  of  the  road,  all 
shot  in  the  breast,  and  a  placard  pinned  to  each,  on  which  waft 
written  t 

"This  is  the  way  we  treat  Kilpatrick's  thieves." 
Three  others  were  found  in  a  hou&e,  murdered,  having  been 
shot  down  after  they  surrendered.  The  other  three  were  found 
lying  by  the  road  side,  their  throats  cut  from  ear  to  ear.  On 
each  of  these  was  also  pinned  a  placard  ob  which  wa&  written 
in  pencil:  .lihfujji:  al'ioiJeJ-iO'iKajnT 

"South' Caralina's  greeting  to  Yankee  vandals." 
March  30. — Saw  Orderly  Sergeant  Kennedy,  J.  W.  F.  John- 
son, and  John  Rover,  all  of  G  company,  9th  Ohio  cavalry,  who 
were  captured  near  Florence,  Alabama,  and  have  miraculously- 
escaped  death  by  starvation   and  merciless  treatment  in  the 
military  pen  at  Anderson ville,  Georgia,  where  they  were  con- 
fined over  a  year.     They  state  that  their  capture  was  owing  to= 
the  absence  of  Captain  Ilctzler,  and  the  cowardice  of  Second 
Lieutenant  Frank  II.  Knapp,  who,  instead  of  giving  the  nnfor--' 
tunate  men  orders  to  form  in  line,  and  defend  themselves  by^ 
performing  their  proper  duty,  ran  witli  dastardly  haste  from  the 
barn  then  occupied  by  the  men  to  seek  a  secure  hiding  placo 
for  hittis^HV    Failing  in  this,  and  afraid  to  proceed  alone  in  any 
direction,  Knapp  sped  back  to  the  top  of  a  sftbd  hearthe  baru 


HCMOBODS   ADVENTUEE3    OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  165 

where  John  Rover  was  stowed  away.  Attempting  to  climb  tlie 
dilapidated  chimney  of  which,  Knapp  was  twice  kicked  to  the 
ground  by  Rover.  Crying  and  begging  to  be  allowed  to  secure 
himself.;Rover  at  last  consented,  and  there  they  both  remained 
until  shortly  afterward  they  were  captured  by  Rhoddy's  men. 
Rover  saj's  a  greater  coward  never  existed  than  this  fellow, 
Knapp. 

The  secesh  scoundrels  who  supervised  this  "  Black  Ilole  of 
Calcutta,"  or,  secesh  den  at  Andersonville,  were  ruffians  who 
purposely  deprived  men  there  of  life,  calling  them  "  Yankees, 
unfit  to  live,"  and  thinking  the  sooner  they  were  rid  of  exist- 
ence the  more  beneficial  it  would  be  to  themselves  and  their 
treacherous  southern  cause.  A  secesh  general  named  Winder, 
and  a  villain  named  Wirz,  his  happy  subordinate  officer,  had 
control  here,  and  should  never  be  allowed  to  exist,  except 
in  prison,  one  day  after  their  arrest,  if  they  are  ever  taken  prig- 
oners.  Rover  says  that  at  least  ten  thousand  prisoners  died 
from  starvation  alone  at  Andersonville  during  two  months  of 
,the  summer  of  1864,  besides  hundreds  of  others  who  were  shot 
by  the  guards  for  no  reason  wliatever ;  in  fact,  it  was  upheld 
through  *he  merest  pretext  by  General  Winder  and  Captain 
Wirz. 

The  hats,  caps,  boots,  shoes,  even  the  only  pair  of  pants  which 
Avere  owned  by  some  of  the  prisoners  were  taken  from,  them  by 
the  guards.  .j.  .i^j.   ^,..^^^^   .rr  -^...-.-.^t   ^j-,  .' 

The  burning  of  Columbia,  South  Carolina,  by  General  Wade 
Hampton,  turned  eight  thousand  people  upon  the  commons. 
It  was  a  sad  business,  and  before  General  Sherman  left  that 
part  of  the  country  he  had  a  talk  with  the  mayor. 

"  What,"  said  that  personage,  "  is  to  .^ecome  of  me  and  these 
people?"  ,,  :  ■   ,      •,, 

"Go,"  replied  General  Sherman,  "to  your  friend,  General 
Hampton." 

"  ric'"  said  the  mayor,  "  is  our  worst  enemy." 

"  Well,  then  you  must  live  off  of  the  country  as  I  have  been. 
doing." 
,.  '  "  But,"  said  his  honor,  "there  is  nothing  left  in  the  country, 
and  Lean  't  see  how  these  people  arc  to  live." 


16^        HUMOROUS  ADVENTUBES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

'^  Well,"  said  the  general,  "  if  you  really  want  my  advice,  I 
will  give  it  to  you.  First,  I  will  tell  yon  a  great  secret.  I  am 
not  going  to  Augusta.  There  is  a  tract  of  country  that  my 
foragers  have  not  touched  yet.  I  forbade  them  going  there 
that  the  people  might  think  1  was  saving  that  to  live  oif  of  in 
my  march  on  that  city.  Now,  you  can  forage  out  of  that  coun- 
try." 

"  Well,"  said  his  honor,  "  that  might  do,  but  these  people 
will  resist  us,  and  we  have  no  arms." 

"  1  will  give  you  arms,"  said  the  general,  and  forthwith  issued 
forty  stand  of  arms. 

The  lightning,  when  it  strikes  the  oak  and  rends  it,  does  not 
kill  it  at  once,  though  its  blight  is  sure.  Whilst  the  trunk  chars 
and  crumbles  away,  the  limbs  drop  off  with  every  breath  of 
wind,  and  gradually  the  whole  disappears  from  view.  So  it  will 
be  with  the  insurrectionary  force.  The  lightning  has  at  last 
struck  it  at  the  base  and  rent  it  to  the  topmost  bough.  Day  by 
day  the  consuming  fire  will  creep  lower  into  its  roots,  and  it 
will  sink  beneath  the  mould  never  to  shoot  upward,  or  be  seen 
again. 

APOCEYPHAL   STOKY  OF  GENERAL  SHERMAN. 

The  Richmond  Whig  of  March  29,  is  responsible  for  thefol- 
lowing: 

While  in  Fayetteville  General  Sherman  liad  an  interview 
with  a  lady,  the  mother  of  a  Confederate  officer,  in  which  he 
told  her  that  he  came  through  the  South  with  moderation,  dis- 
posed to  burn  no  private  property  and  to  respect  individual 
rights  ;  but  if  that  course  did  not  have  the  effect  to  subdue  the 
rebellious  spirit  of  our  people,  he  would  come  again  with  the 
knife  unsheathed,  and  would  put  to  death,  without  regard  to  age 
or  sex,  the  inhabitants  of  the  country.  Ilis  language,  to  use 
his  own  expressive  words,  was  that  he  would  come  again  with 
the  torch. 

APPEARANCE  OF  SIIEKMAn's  ARMY. 

The  army  of  General  Sherman,  whose  long  experience  has 
made  them  the  best  foragers  as  well  as  fighters,  have  brought 


\ 

HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.        167 

with  them  largo   quantities  of  provisions  and  camp  supplies.* 
The  arrival  at  Goldsboro,  and  grand  entree  into  the  place,  will 
forever  remain  one  of  the   must   interesting  episodes  of  this 
war. 

In  the  rear  of  each  division  followed  the  foragers,  or  "  bum- 
mers," as  they  were  called  by  the  soldiers,  constituting  a  most 
motley  group  which  strongly  recalls  the  memory  of  Fallstaff 's 
ragged  army,  tliough  they  are  by  no  means  in  buckram.  The 
men  having  worn  out  all  their  clotliing  and  shoes  during  the 
march,  were  obliged  to  furnish  themselves  as  best  they  could 
as  they  moved  along- 

Here  came  men  strutting  in  mimic  dignity,  in  the  old  swal- 
low tailed  coats,  with  plug  hats,  the  tops  knocked  in  ;  there  a 
group  in  seedy  coats  and  pants  of  rebel  gray,  wilh  arms  and 
legs  protruding  beyond  all  semblance  of  fit  or  fashion  ;  short 
jackets,  long  tailed  surtouts,  and  coats  of  every  cast,  with  broad 
tails,  narrow  tails,  and  no  tails  at  all — all  of  the  most  antiquated 
styles.  Some  wore  womens'  bonnets,  or  young  ladies'  hats 
with  streamers  of  faded  ribbons  floating  fantastically  in  t^e 
wind-  The  procession  of  vehicles  and  animals  was  of  the 
most  grotesque  description.  There  were  donkeys  large  and 
small,  almost  smothered  under  burdens  of  turkeys,  geese,  and 
other  kinds  of  poultry,  ox  carts,  skinny  liorses  pulling  in  the 
thills  of  some  parish  doctor's  old  sulky,  farm  wagons  and  bug- 
gies, hacks,  chaises,  rockaways,  aristocratic  and  family  carriages, 
all  filled  with  plunder  and  provisions.  ^^ 

There  was  bacon,  hams,  potatoes,  flour,  pork,  sorghum,  and 
freshly  slaughtered  pigs,  sheep,  and  poultry  dangling  from 
saddle  tree  and  wagon,  sufficient,  one  would  suppose,  to  supply 
the  army  for  a  month. 

All  this  provender  was  turned  over  to  the  chief  commissary 
of  each  division,  and  was  regularly  issued  to  the  troops  as  ra- 
tions. 

The  men  found  abundance  of  eatables  during  the  march  in 
North  Carolina,  but  no  incendiarism  was  tolerated,  and  in  many 
cases  something  was  left  the  families  'who  remained  at  their 
homes.] 

Refugees,  white  aud  black,  followed  in  mournful  procession, 


1^8  'humokoits  ADVENbruiiES'OF  1  yolunteeS. 

in  the  rear  of  the  army,  apd  cheerfully  shared  with  the  soldiers 

tiie  food  they  had  taken  from  their  own  homes  and  farms.  There 

was  little  murmuring  or  complaining,  and  hut  little   exhibition 

of  bitter  feeling  against  the  troops. 
-iiiuJ  '-  -10  ,>...'...*'    "  .      ■, .  IK.;  :,::■ 

;*:t*Vfri  )!  •'piGH't'WITH  GUEKKILlAB-i-^TWO  Mi:N   EOAgTED  ALITE. 

.^^,0n  Friday  last,  a  scout  of  Federal  troops,  sent  out  from  Fort 

I)6nclson,  in  conimand  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Brott^  met  a  squad 

of  guerrillas  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Cumberland   river,  between 

Clarksville  and  the  fort,  and  a  brisk  engagement  ensued.     A 

number  of  the  outlaws  took  refuge  in  an  old  mill,  and,  thus 

sheltered,  kept  our  troops  at  bay.     One  of  the  rebels,  Horace 

,  Wildey,  was  shot  and  killed.     Two  other  members  of  the  band 

"refused  to  surrender,  when  the  mill  was  fired  for  the   purpose 

of  driving  them  from  their  shelter.     The  outlaws  were  firm,  and 

stood  their  ground  boldly.     The  building  burned  rapidly,  and 

the  two  men  were  consumed  in  the  flames.     It  was  a   horrible 

^eatb,  and  the  heroism  with   which  they  met  their  fate  was 

Worthy  of  a  better  cause.     In  this  affair  we  lost  one  man  killed 

and  one  wounded. 

A  KAID  INTO  GEORGIA. 

March  31. — The  2d  Missouri  cavalry  and  a  detachment  of 
the  6th  Tennessee  cavalry,  left  Chattanooga  on  a  scout  into  the 
counties  of  South  Georgia.     As  their  scout  was  intended   to 

.  familiarize  them  with  tlie  topography  of  that  country,  so  that 
in  case  of  need  they  could  move  quickly,  they  proceeded  with 

"  'much  leisure,  from  time  to  time  paying  attention  to  the  bush- 
whackers who  infested  that  country.  These  squads  annoyed 
them  at  every  mile,  hanging  on  their  flank,  attacking  the  rear, 
and  often  seen  by  the  advance.  Several  traps  were  laid  for 
them  by  Colonel  Merrill.  The  Federals  camped  at  Summcrvile 
one  night,  and  were  pegtered  more  than  usual  by  these  outlaws, 
who  would  attack  the  videttes  and  endeavor  to  capture  them. 
To  stop  this  a  vidette  was  stationed  on  the  Alpine  road,  and 
between  him  and  (he  reserve  a  squad  was  placed  in  ambush. 
In  a  short  time  six  of  the  devils  came  down  the  road,  drove  the 
vidette  back,  and  followed  him  past  the  squad  in  ambush.    Tho 


HUMOKOU8  Adventures  of  a  voluntkee.  169 

latter  rose  and  fired  a  volley  that  caused  the  rebels  toyeU"^ith 
'  fear  and  pain.     Three  of  them  were  hit,  one  of  whom  fell  from 
his  horse,  but  the  rest  actually  stopped,  placed  him  on  his 
horse,  and  dashed  away  before  our  mounted  men  could  come 
^up- 
on the  same  night  another  band  made  an  attack  on  the  pickets 
on  the  railroad. 

Here  a  company  was  placed  in  ambush,  and  the  rest  of  the 
regiment  withdrawn  into  Siimmerville.  Guerrillas,  thirty  in 
number,  charged  up  the  road,  the  pickets  fell  back  until  pass- 
ing the  party  in  ambush,  they  wheeled  for  them,  and  killed  and 
captured  one  half  of  these  desperadoes.  Advancing  to  Dug 
gap  another  little  battle  took  place,  the  guerrillas  numbering 
seventy.  ;:l*'}  )iov/ 

The  most  inhuman  deed  of  all  has  yet  to'bc  recorded.  While 
the  regiment  was  at  Alpine,  last  Friday  night,  four  of  the  men 
were  placed  on  picket  half  a  mile  from  camp,  near  the  house 
of  a  man  named  H.  M.  Knox.  In  the  morning  Knox  came  out 
to  the  post  and  invited  the  men  in  to  breakfast.  Believing  him 
an  honest  man,  and  not  thinking  of  danger,  they  went  with  him. 
They  took  seats  on  the  porch  and  entered  into  conversation  with 
Knox  and  his  wife.  While  talking  a  negro  woman  came  to  the 
porch  and  wanted  to  speak  to  the  soldiers,  but  both  Knox  and 
his  wife  ordered  her  into  the  house.  A  few  minutes  afterward 
six  gucrrilas  dashed  around  into '  the  road  from  behind  the 
house,  presented  their  pistols  at  the  soldiers,  and  ordered  them 
to  surrender.  Being  unarmed  they  complied,  when  the  guer- 
rillas took  them  into  the  road,  made  them  stand  in  a  row,  and 
shot  at  them.  One  was  shot  through  the  right  lung,  two  through 
the  neck,  while  the  fourth  one  escaped. 
''  Colonel  Merrill  arrested  Knox  and  his  wife,  and  some  of  the 
*^'^arty  Knox  had  with  him,  and  lodged  them  in  prison,  whence 
should  soon  go  to  the  gallows.  Major  General  Steedman  hear- 
ing of  the  affair,  and  that  the  woman  was  in  Chattanooga, 
promptly  sent  her  north  as  a  prisoner  of  war,  and  intends  that 
the  male  portion  of  the  munlerous  crew  shall  publicly  exhibit 
themsrlves  as  lofty  swinging-  cbcmbers  of  the  vile  portion  of 
humanity.  •  i 


170  •         HUMOROUS   ADVENTUEES   OF  A    VOLUNTEEB. 

GENERAL  FOEEESt's  CHALLENGE  TO  GENEKAL  "WILSON  ACCEPTED. 

The  Nashville  Dispatch  has  the  following : 

Our  readers,  will  recollect  a  correspondence  from  Eastport  in 
which  it  was  stated  that  the  rebel  General  Forrest  sent  a  chal- 
lenge to  General  Wilson,  proposing  a  fair,  open  field  fight,  e:f- 
pressing  his  convictions  of  success  in  any  such  engagement. 
General  Wilson  gratified  Forrest  in  this  desire,  the  result  being 
contrary  to  his  braggadocia.  General  Wilson  met  the  rebel 
Generals  Forrest  and  Taylor,  on  the  28th,  at  a  point  between 
Selma  and  Montgomery,  Alabama.  It  was  a  desperate  eagage- 
ment,and  called  into  requisition  all  the  military  skill  and  bravery 
of  both  commands.  Tiie  forces  under  both  these  rebel  officers 
were  totally  defeated,  and  a  large  number  of  men  captured  by 
General  Wilson's  cavalry,  for  his  force  consists  of  cavalry  al- 
together. Beside  the  route  of  the  enemy  General  Wilson  de- 
stroyed sixteen  cars,  containing  amunition,  commissary  stores, 
etc.,  and  four  locomotives. 

This  Forrest  trapeze  movment  caused  some  excitement  in 
military  circles,  and  his  rout  was  discussed  with  some  interest, 
in  East  Tennessee.  The  news  caused  General  Thomas  to  accel- 
erate the  movements  of  some  of  the  troops.  It  is  thought  the 
track  of  the  rebel  army  will  be  along  the.  Danville  railroad  into 
North  Carolina. 

Rebel  sympathizers  who  imagine  Forrest  equal,  or  superior, 
to  Ney,  Murratt,  or  any  other  great  cavalr^^^  leader  of  modern 
times,  received  the  startling  intelligence  of  his  defeat  with  grim 
smiles  of  unbelief  Their  temper,  however,  was  sadly  ruffled 
by  the  joy  which  the  news  called  forth  from  the  Unionists  all 
around  them. 

April  2. — An  amusing  incident  occurred  not  long  since  at 
General  Howard's  headquarters,  where-  General  Sherman  was 
dining. 

There  was  a  prosy  chaplain  present  who  was  the  terror  of 
hungry  campaigners.  Sherman  was  discussing,  with  one  of 
Howard's  stalf,  the  conduct  of  a  particular  otlicer  whose  habits 
had  given  hini-some  trouble,  Durijig  the  conversation  the 
parties  took  their  seats  at  the  table,  and  Sherman  continued  his 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTDEES  OF  A  VOLUKTEEB.        17 1 

conversation  with  the  officer  without  noticing  that  the  parson 
had  launched  out  into  one  of  his  long-winded  thankso^ivino-s 
Sherman  wound  ftp  his  conversation  about  th6  delinquent  with 
the  energetic  exclamation  :  '     "  " 

"  D — n  the  fellow !  will  he  ever  restrain  himself?  " 

The  horrified  parson  here  came  to  a  dead  halt,  thinking  the 
question  applied  to  him,  and  the  company  irreverently  burst 
into  a  roar  of  laughter.  Sherman  looked  as  puzzled  as  the 
chaplain,  but  enjoyed  the  fun  as  soon  as  it  was  explained  to 
him. 

"  Parson,"  he  said,  "  the  befit  apology  I  can  make  you,  is  to 

say  that  if  Colonel  D-^ had  but  half  your  earnestness  and 

control,  he  would  make  a  better  oflicer." 

Petersburg,  Virginia,  is  ours,  with  12,000  prisoners,  fifty 
peioes  of  artillery,  and  thousands  of  small  arms. 

now  TO  CHEAT  SUTLERS. 

Some  of  the  boys  of  an  Ohio  Battery  wished  to  celebrate  a 
recent  victory  in  a  spirited  manner,  but  the  Paymaster  had 
not  been  around  recently,  and  the  sutler  would  not  trust  them 
for  whiskey.  So  they  rigged  out  one  of  their  number  with  two 
canteens,  one  of  which  was  filled  with  water  so  "doctered" 
with  coffee  as  to  resemble,  in  color,  the  desired  liquor.  He 
went  to  the  sutler,  had  the  empty  canteen  filled,  and  then  asked 
to  be  trusted.  This  the  sutler  refused,  when  the  soldier  passed 
to  him  the  other  canteen,  telling  him  to  keep  his  bad  whiskey, 
and  the  sutler,  glad  to  get  rid  of  so  ugly  a  customer,  without 
money,  poured  the  water  into  his  whiskey  barrel,  and  bid  him 
begone.  The  boys  had  a  fine  spree  that  niglit,  and  not  the 
least  of  this  pleasure  arose  from  the  manner  in  which  the 
sutler  was  sold. 

April  3,  18C5. — This  day  Kichmond  is  ours- 
Major  General  Dix : 

From  a  dispatch  of  General  Weitzel,  just  received  at  this 
department,  1  learn  that  our  forces  under  his  command  are  in 
Richmond,  having  taken  it  at  8:15  this  morning. 

^E.  M.  STANTON, 

Secretary  of  War. 


Oifi   iLiii   '^.li:  OFFICIAL  WAR  BUttE-rtl^ '^^"^^  ^<jit::^'>'''^'''-> 

-General  Sheridan  attacked  and  routed  :Le«'s  army,, capturing    j 
Gerierals  Ewell,  Kershaw,  Button,  and  po^ft^  anji  driving,  tlje 
enemy  across  Sailor's  creek,  Virginia. ,   ;  ;,,,!;         i-;  .{  -;  j  -- 
qJj  y,f(Signed)  E.  MySTANTON,    .^r;- 

Ja-J-ud  (,i)ii^i'/.ji-ii  yL'ii*^ujo.'j  iulj  ixiJi  .Uiiiferpt^ry  of  Wsr-.^jp       j 
ojfl  f.i;   ri-.fwr-f;    pft  bajluul  ar.f.'r    >ifS     .-;'•!'•'.      i  'i«i  .•.•    Ji-f 

o-i  hoi:'  :i8iJnoc     CityiIPqiot.;  April -7-1^7^:35,  A.  Mm 

Honorable  Secretaky  of  War  : 

At  11:15  P,  M.,  yesterday,  at  Burkesville  station,  Qpnera 
Grant.sendS;,aie  the  following  from -General  $keridan  : 

■  A.  LI^OOLN. 

.smifi  liwnta'io  Rhnfianodi  lApril  O-^  1,1:15  P.  M»- 
Lieutenant  General  Grant: 

I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  the  enemy  made  a  stand   at 
the  intersection  of  the  Burke's  station  road,  with  the  road  «pon 
.:,jwhich  they  were  retreating.     I  attacked  them  with  two  divi^oii. 
of  the  sixth  army  corpus,  and  routed  them  handsomely,  makin;.' 
a  connection  with  the  cavalry.,    I  am  still,  pressing  on  with 
both  cavalry  and  infantry.bQlJit  euw  tbiilv/  lo  eao  ,i^no^iiisi) 
•       Up  to  the  present  time 'we  havd, 'captured  Generals.  Ewell, 
■Kershaw,  Button,  Corse,  Dubarry,;and  Custis  Lee,  seveiiai  thou 
sand  prisoners,  fourteen:  pieces  of  artillery  with  caisspfls,  and  a 
,vlarge  number  of  wagons.  .;;ijl  ,n  . 

If  pressed  Lee  will  surrendeijJ    i- ■>  • 

P.  H.  SHERIDAN, 
cilj  ioi.  1  .  '   j;>iiJ  jui^d  ;.um  ii  bijil  <  Major  General. 

lee's  surrender. 

General  Lee  became  a  member  of  the  peace  party  at  a  late 
day.  His  conversion  was  wrought  through  great  tribulatipn. 
p.i*'To  befrank,'^  he  4id  not  thirik  tlie  iemergency  had  arriveid  for 
the  shrronder  of  his  army,  but  "as  >  the  restoration  of  peace 
should  be  the  sole  object  of  all,"  he  wanted. to  know  whether 
Grant's  pfo|) OS al  to  xiccept  the  surrender  of  the  army  of  North- 
era- ViVgiui^  "  would  tend  to  that  end."    Therefore,  while  h( 


HeMOROIJS' ADVENTlJBfiS   OF' A'tOLUNlEESJt  173t 

^Villd"  fibt  meet' Griant  with  a  view  to  surrender  the  army  under 
is  immediate  command,  lie  ivould  be  pleased  to  meet  him  with, 
.1  view'  to  feeJ§  h&w  h,v  ttve  ' ^opogition    made   to  ioc«ive'  thd  r 
army  of  Northern  Virginia   as   prisoners  of  war  might   ajSect  > 
the  Confederate'  States  forced  "under  my  command,"  (that  is, 
aft  the  armie^'  Of  the  Confeideracy,  Lie-utenaot  Oeneral  Lee) 
being  general-i'A-chief,)  abd  tend^o.t:h6'fnllirei^oratiou  of  needed 
peace."   '  '  ■  '■■^-■'  '  ,  '■'->'  ■      ■'■''•■>■'.      ,,.,•,,. 

''©fefbr^GpeiietalOrant  arrived  GerMjral  Meade,  in  command 
of  *he  army  Of  the  JPotomaO  above,  had  ordered  an  advance  of 
the  second  and  sixth  corps  against  the  enemy.  General  i  Lee, 
waiting  a  reply  from  General  Grant  to  a  rtlessage^'he  had  sent 
him,  asked  a  truce  from  General  Meade  until  he  considered  the 
terms  of  surrender.  -Meade- ^fcoBsented  to- Suspend  bostilitie&i 
until  2  P.  M.  :iy;^-iij',6  ■■o  fet-CMui  aljivrxr  il-uH  i'.n  .-•(  >'Mn.'. 

iAt  half  past  I'^.M.,  General  Grant  arrived'  at  Sheridan's 
hca'dqharters,  and  sent  General  Bawlings,  his  cliief- of- staff,  and  • 
Colonel  Babcock,  his  aide,  to  General  Lee's  headquarters.  On 
their  arrival  it  was  as'certained  that  General  Meade-^tbe  limit 
set  by  him  for  the  mispension  of  Ms  advance  having  passed — 
had  again  ordered  the  second  and  sixth  corps  against  the  rebeU 
rear  from  'abo*tes^     .lor^jRiif/  meiij  ol  iaoaHW  on  boaaonqxD  oil 

Colonel  Babcocf,-  tifi&bi^  U'  flag' bf  twce '  frmii  ©eriefalit^'a.T 
lloegj  proceeded  to  Meade's  headquarters,  and  requested  that 
officer  to  delay  bis  attdckuhtilthe  impending  meeting  between' 
Lee  arid  Grant  was  over.  '  '■'.      '  '   •      '■' 

Returning  to  Lee's  headqimrters,  he  thenf  ih'Oompairy  with 
Genferal  Rjiwlirigs^  e^o^irted  the  southern  chieftan  through  his ^ 
own  and  Sheridaft-^s  line»  to  Grant's  headquarters'^  at  A])pomat- ' 
tox  Court  house.     At  2:30>  P.  M.  the  party  reached  Appomattox 
Coart  house,  where  Grant  awaited  his  visitor' at  the  house  of  a 
citizen  named  Wilmer  McLaUe.     Grant  received  his  guest  with 
the  simple  soldierly  franknesi^  that  is  part  of  his  nature.     As 
Lee  advanced  into  the  room  Grant  aroscy.  and  both  clasped 
hands.    The  rebel  chief  sank  iiito  a  chair,  and  within  a  few 
minutes  both  were  earnestly  discussing  the  terms  of  capitula-; 
tion.    General  Let  wished  to  know  distinctly  what  General 
Grant  had  to  propose.  O^  a 


Iffir       5UM0K0U8  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

General  Grant  assured  him  that  the  language  of  his  previous 
dispatch  explained  his  wishes.  He  desired  the  surrender  of 
the  army  of  Northern  Virginia  on  the  following  conditions 
only:  ,  /   ;  .,: 

"1.  Rolls  of  all  officers  to  be  made  in  duplicate,  one  copy 
to  be  given  to  an  officet  to  be  designated  by  me,  the  other  to 
be  retained  by  such  officers  as  you  may  designate. 

"2.     The  officers  to  give  their  individual  paroles  not  to  take 
arms  against  thq  United  States  -until  properly  exchanged,  and 
each  company,  Or  regimental  officer  sign  a  like. parole  for  mono 
of  their  commands.  [j 

"3.     The  arms,  artillery,  and  public  property  to  be  parked,  r 
and  stacked,  and  turned  over  to  the  officers  appointed  by  me 
to  receive  them.     This  will  not  embrace  the  side  arms  of  the 
officers,  nor  their  private  horses  or  baggage. 

"■4:.     This  done,  each  officer  and  man  will  be  allowed  to 
return  to  their  ,  homes,  not  to  be  disturbed  by  United  States! 
authority,  so  long  as  they  observe  their  .parole  and  the  laws  in) 
force  where  they  reside."  iioogi;  ^  l) 

Being  completely  at  the   mercy  of  the   conquerer.  General 
Lee  was   evidently  pleased  with ,  the  liberality  of  these,  terms,, 
He  expressed  no  dissent  to  them  whatever.     After  enquiringf 
as  to  the  private  baggage  and  horses  of  his  officers,  he  requested 
to  know  whether  General  Grant  would  permit  those  among 
his  men  who  owned  private  horses  to  jetain  them. 

General  Grant  responded  that  although  he  disliked  to  put 
such  a  condition  into  the  terms  of  surrender,  he  would  instruct 
his  officers  who  would  have  charge  of  such  matters  to  see  that» 
General  Lee'^  wish  was  complied  with. :  Whereat  Lee  ex-  > 
pressed  his  satisfaction.  Lee  then  remarked  upon  the  extreme 
destitution  of  his  troops.  They  had  no  supplies  of  any  conse- 
quence for  two  days,  he  said.  "Even  the  prisoners  I  have 
taken  from  you.  General,  have  suffered  from  lack  of  food.  I 
could  not  help  it.     My  own  men  have  been  almost  starving.'" 

Grant  promptly  ofiered  to  divide  with  him  and  fulfilled  his 
promise  before  nighfall  by  ordering  rations  of  beef  and  cofiee 
for  twenty  five  thousand  men  to  be  sent  to  the  rebeL  commis- 
sary, .-jeo'joiq  oj  I)fiif  Iniii' 


HUMOROUS   ADVENTURES   OP  A  VOLUNTEEE.  175 

The  Lieutenant  General  then  wrote  a  dispatch  addressed  to 
General  Lee  containing  the  terms  he  proposed  to  receive  the 
surrender  as  quoted  above.  General  Lee,  after  reading  it, 
drew  his  chair  up  to  the  table  and  wrote  his  acceptance  of  the 
proposal,  as  follows : 

Headquarters  Army  or  Northern  Vibqinia,") 

April  9th,  1865.  |  ,„ 

Lieut.  Gen.  U.S.  Grant.,  Cofnmanding  U.  S.  A.: — General: 
I  have  received  your  letter  of  this  date,  containing  the  terms 
of  surrender  of  the  army  of  Northern  Virginia,  as  proposed  by, 
you.  As  they  are  substantially  the  same  as  those  expressed  in 
your  letter  of  the  8th  inst.,  they  are  accepted.  I  will  proceed 
to  designate  the  proper  officers  to  carry  the  stipulations  into 
•feffect. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

R.  E.  LEE,  General. 

After  short  desultary  conversation.  General  Lee  took  his  de- 
parture, General  Grant  attending  him  to  the  door,  and  taking 
his  hand  at  the  threshold.  The  interview  was  conducted  on 
the  part  of  General  Lee  with  the  manly  but  conscious  bearing 
of  a  soldier  beaten  but  not  cowed  :  on  the  part  of  General  Grant 
with  the  generous  spirit  of  a  conqueror  who  could  afford  to 
admit  the  ability,  the  courage,  and  the  deserts  of  a  noble  foe. 
10  TRIUMPE. 

By  4  o'clock  P.  M.  the  two  armies,  which  had  been  impa- 
tiently waiting  the  result  of  the  conference,  knew  that  the 
articles  had  been  signed.  The  discipline  ordered  by  both 
commanders  did  not  prevent  men  and  officers  intermingling, 
congratulating  each  other,  thanking  God,  Grant  and  Lee,  in 
unison,  that  the  long  agony  of  fight  and  pursuit  was  over. 
Every  band  in  the  army  became  inspired  with  melodious  fervor 
The  "  Marsellaise,"  the  "  Star  Spangled  Banner,"  the  "  Flag  ot 
our  Union,"  were  played  and  sang.  Officers  from  the  Lieuten- 
ant General  down  to  Colonels,  were  greeted  with  an  uprorious 
tumult  of  delight.     All  gave  signs  of  gladness. 

April  6. — The  Herald's  correspondent  from  the  late  mansion 
of  Jeff  Davis  in  Richmond,  Va.,  says:  The  avacuation  of  this 
city  was  contemplated  several  days  before  it  took  place,  but. 


l?!'  HUMOildtTS   ADViJNTlffiES  OP  A  VOLUinEER. 

that  decision  was  not  arrived  at  until  Sunday  afternooin,  when 
Lee  telegraphed  Davis  that  Grant  had  rendered  the  holding  oi 
the  city  impossible.  This  telegram  was  read  m  the  churches, 
and  the  leading  rebels  left  at  once.  Jefi' Davis  at  8  o'clock  P. 
M.,  for  Dativille.  The  city  was  fired  by  General  Ewell,  and, 
although  General  Weitzell  endeavored  to  subdue  the  flames, 
one  third  of  the  city  Was  destroyed. 

It  was  understood  to  have  been  Lee's  design  to  reach  Dan- 
ville, Va.,  and  then  fortify  and  make  another  stand  there.  This 
plan  Sheridan's  movements  frustrated,  and  then  Lee  endeavored 
to  get  to  Lynchburg.  Davis  received  Lee's^dcspatch  to  evac- 
uee at  church.  He  escaped  on  the  first  train,  taking  his  liorses. 
and  carriage,  so  as  to  take  the  road  in  case  the  track  was  in- 
terrupted. Axtra  Billy  Smith  did  not  leave  till  after  midnight. " 
He  left  his  wife  behind^  as  did  also'General  Lee.  News  of  the 
death  of  her  son,  W.  H.  F.  Lee,  in  the  battle,  was  received. 
Br'6t'ken ridge  left  the  city  as  late  as  half  past  six  Monday 
morning.  A  large  number  of  rebel  officers  were  captured  an<ll 
p^jiroled.     ' 

o:  Judge  Campbell  tendered  his  services  to  President  Lincoln 
to^'visit  Jeff  Davis  and  urge  him  to  peace.  The  President  said 
h<i  would  receive  communications,  but  would  send  n^ne. 

Tlie  rebel  gdvernment  carried  off  government  archives  and 
three  millions  of  gold  coin.  Their  destination  was  supposed 
to  be  Charlotte,  N.  C.  Richmond  is  now  in  a  state  of  famine. 
Provisions  being  nearly  all  consumed.  The  population  is 
nearly  all  there,  very  few  having  left. 

Breckenridge  superintended  the  destruction  of  the  city,  and 
directed  the  firing  of  the  buildings.  The  original  secessionists 
here  now  are  willing  to  take  the  oath,  and  proclaim  their  readi- 
neaa  for  unconditional  submission  1     ^SGoiit  ye  loafers,"  &c. 

.,  NEWS    FKOM    SnERMAN.  I'JlOO 

•  A  preconcerted  plan  to  fire  Newbern,  N.  C,  was  dcvelo|3ed 
April  Glh,  at  8  o'clock  A.  M.  Several  large  buildings  contain- 
ing forage, 'ordnance,  and  commissary  stores^  were  set  entire 
simultaneonsly  with  the  aid  of  phosphorus.  The  alarm  was 
given  and  signalled  at  once,  when  the  lire  department  and 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.        177 

population  turned  out,  and  the  flames  were  subdued  without 
much  damage.  Kebel  ofBcers  were  discovered  who,  with  other 
suspicious  characters,  are  in  confinemetat.  Double  guards 
patrol  the  city  to  prevent  a  like  occurrence  and  arrest  all  sus- 
picious characters. 

The  Steamers  Ajax  and  United  States  arrived  at  Fortress 
Monroe  from  Newbern,  N.  C,  with  a  large  number  of  prisoners 
captured  by  General  Sherman. 

April  7. — General  Sherman  has  resumed  his  march  and  left 
Goldsboro  in  his  rear. 

A  portion  of  Stoneman's  cavalry  w^ere  in  Marion,  Tcnn.,  and 
in  Smyth  county  on  the  Virginia  and  Tennessee  Railroad; 
while  another  portion  have  gone  through  Carter  county,  Tenn., 
towards  Salisbury,  N.  C,  on  a  feint,  it  is  supposed,  to  distract 
the  attention  of  the  rebel  commander,  while  the  real  advance 
will  be  in  another  direction.  Some  skirmishing  took  place 
between  the  rebel  cavalry  and  ours  west  of  Bristol,  Va.,  result- 
ing in  the  capture  of  a  squandron.  General  Stoneman  occupied 
Salisbury  April  10th.    , 

Jeff  Davis  at  latest  accounts  had  arrived  at  Charlotte,  N.  C, 
with  three  delapidated  trunks.  There  is  not  a  man  living  in 
this  country  to-day  who  would  exchange  places  with  him. 
Despised  for  his  treason,  hated  for  his  cruel  exercise  of  power, 
a  fugitive  and  a  vagabond,  tlie  wretched  author  of  innumerable 
woes,  he  might  decide  for  himself  the  question  of  Hamlet,  "to 
be,  or  not  to  be''  in  the  negative,  were  it  not  for  fear  of  some- 
thing hereafter ;  and  compared  with  which  "  the  sour  apple 
tree,"  to  which  he  has  been  condemed  so  often,  would  be  as 
rose  water  to  aqua  fortis. 

A  Colonel  lately  released  from  Libby  prison,  says  that,  while 
there,  the  party  he  was  with  was  visited  by  Mrs.  Scddon,  wife 
of  the  late  rebel  Secretary  of  War,  she  denounced  them  in  the 
most  bitter  terms,  calling  them  "inhuman  monsters,"  "hell 
hounds,"  and  "vipers."  At  her  suggestion  they  were  then 
thrown  into  a  miserable  dungeon,  almost  destitute  of  light  and 
air,  where  their  sufferings  were  terrible.  What  should  be  done 
to  this  demoniacal  female  fury? 

The  United  States  Government  has  all  to  say  about  that. 
12 


178      nuMOEOus  adventuees  of  a  tolunteee. 

CAriLLAKY  COMMEKCE. 

"A  neice  of  James  Madison"  suggested  through  tlie  Rich- 
mond Whig,  a  few  dajs  before  it  became  "loyal,"  a  new  way 
to  pay  off  the  confederate  debt.  She  writes:  "There  are  two 
million  women  over  twelve  years  of  age  in  the  confederacy; 
some  heads  have  one  and  some  three  or  four  braids  of  hair ; 
say  they  will  average  two;  therefore  there  are  about  four 
million  braids,  worth  in  Europe  ten  dollars  each  in  gold,  and 
in  confederate  Qipney  two  billions,  nearly  double  our  present 
indebtedness.  A  ship  loaded  with  this  precious  traffic  might 
make  hair-breadth  escapes,  but  angels  would  guard  it  (by 
General  Maury's  permission),  and  land  it  safely  at  Havre.  All 
Europe  would  purchase  at  a  speculative  price.  Many  braids, 
offerings  on  the  altar  of  liberty,  would  bring  in  Paris,  labelled 
with  the  name  of  the  donors,  thousands  at  auction!  Our  debt 
would  be  a  mere  circumstance  to  the  amount  realized:  and  I 
propose  that  every  loyal  woman  in  the  South  send,  forthwith, 
her  hair,  tied  with  a  ribbon  and  labelled  with  her  name,  to 
Madame  Levert,  in  Mobile.     Here's  mine,  and  two  braids." 

Some  wag  in  Van  Wert  county  fixed  up  a  hen's  egg  so  that 
the  words  "PEACE,  18GG,"  appeared  legibly  on  the  shell,  and 
found  a  dunce  who  paid  $150  for  the  curiosity.  Since  then 
the  boys  of  Van  Wert  have  gone  largely  into  speculations  with 
prophetic  eggs.  Will  Madame  Levert  follow  that  example  ? 
Time  will  develope  this. 

April  9. — Our  forces  captured  Mobile  to-day  and  five  thou- 
sand seven  hundred  prisoners  in  or  near  the  city.  Spanish  Fort 
with  one  thousand  men  also  fell  into  onr  hands,  where  General 
Maury's  chief  of  staff  ended  his  life  by  being  shot  through  the 
left  eye  by  one  of  our  sharpshooters.  He  was  a  classmate  with 
General  Anderson  at  West  Point  in  18-17.  Take  all  this  to  your 
soul,  Jeff  Davis,  and  look  out  for  your  life.. 

Ajpril  15. — Cincinnati's  truly  loyal  citizens  were  proudly 
rejoicing  over  all  our  glorious  victories,  the  surrender  of  Lee 
and  his  vain-glorious  rebel  troops,  yesterday,  and  were  retiring 
gladly  to  repose  when  the  following  heart-rendering  news 
came  here  by  telegraph  at  11  o'clock  P.  M. 


HTJMOEO   S   ADVENTUKE3    OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  179 

ASSASSINATION  OF  THE   PRESIDENT — HE  IS  SHOT  IN  THE  THEATER — A 
NATIONAL  CALAMITY. 

About  half  past  ten  o'clock  this  evening  a  desperado,  well 
dressed,  appeared  at  the  house  of  Secretarj^  Seward  and  asked 
to  see  him,  a  servant  informed  him  he  could  not,  upon  which 
he  said  he  had  a  prescription  from  Surgeon  General  Barnes,  he 
was  ordered  to  deliver  in  person.  The  servant  referred  him  to 
Fred.  Seward,  who,  being  present,  told  the  stranger  he  would 
take  charge  of  the  medicine,  but  the  desperado  refused  to  de- 
liver it,  rushed  past  Fred.  Seward,  and  struck  Secretary  Seward 
with  a  dagger  in  the  throat  and  breast.  The  wounds,  upon 
examination  by  the  surgeon  general,  are  pronounced  not  fatal. 
Major  Seward,  son  of  the  secretary  and  paymaster  in  the  army 
of  the  United  States,  was  also  badly  cut  in  his  efforts  to  defend 
his  father. 

•  Simultaneously  with  this,  John  Wilkes  Booth,  another  vil- 
lainous desperado,  (who  being  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  a  year  and 
a  half  previous  to  this,  told  a  prominent  citizen  there,  that 
"the  man  who  killed  Abraham  Lincoln  would  occupy  a  higher 
niche  of  fame  than  George  Washington,")  appeared  at  Ford's 
theater  and  obtained  admission  to  the  box  occupied  by  Presi- 
dent Lincoln,  his  wife.  Miss  Harris,  and  Major  Rathbone. 

The  following  statement,  entirely  reliable,  is  from  Mr.  James 
Ferguson,  each  part  of  which  is  corroborated  by  Miss  Harris, 
and  it  therefore  assumes  a  serious  and  important  character,  as 
it  establishes  the  proof  of  a  series  of  preparations  by  the  mur- 
derer .to  secure  himself  from  interference,  while  in  the  box< 
from  any  person  in  the  dress  circle  ;  and  also,  and  more  serious 
still,  calls  up  the  suspicion  that  he  had  confederates  having  as 
easy  access  to  the  theater  as  he  had,  and  that  part  of  his  prep- 
arations were  made  in  the  daytime: 

Mr.  James  P.  Ferguson  went  to  the  theater  on  Friday  night 
for  the  express  purpose  of  seeing  General  Grant,  who  was  an- 
nounced to  be  present.  Mr.  Ferguson  saw  the  presidential 
party  enter  the  box,  but  of  course,  did  not  see  the  general.  He 
however,  continued  to  watch  the  box,  thinking  the  general 


180  HUMOROUS   ADVENTURES    OF  A  VOLUNTEEK. 

would  slip  quietly  in  to  avoid  the  demonstrations  that  would 
attend  his  recognition.  

When  the  second  scene  of  the  third  act  of  the  play  was 
reached,  Mr.  Ferguson  saw,  and  recognized,  John  Wilkes 
Booth  making  his  way  along  the  dress  circle  to  the  President's 
box.  Of  this  box  Mr,  Ferguson  had  an  excellent  view,  being 
seated  in  the  dress  circle  just  opposite  to  it,  next  to  tlie  private 
boxes  on  the  other  side  of  the  circle.  This  seat  he  had  chosen 
to  afford  his  companions  a  good  view  of  tlie  lieutenant  general, 
and,  for  the  reason  already  stated  was  narrowly  watching  the 
entrance  to  it. 

Mr.  Ferguson  watched  for  his  appearance  in  the  box,  desiring 
to  see  who  in  that  party  the  actor  could  be  on  such  intimate 
terms  with,  as  to  feel  warranted  in  taking  such  a  liberty. 
Whether  Booth  shut  the  door  of  the  little  corridor,  or  left  it 
open  behind  him,  Mr.  Ferguson  fears  to  state  positively ;  but 
from  what  he  observed  of  the  door  he  believes  it  was  shut. 

The  shot  was  the  next  thing  Mr.  Ferguson  remembers.  He 
saw  the  smoke,  then  perceived  Booth  standing  upright,  with 
both  hands  raised,  but,  at  that  moment,  saw  no  weapon  or  any 
thing  else  in  either.  Booth  then  sprang  to  the  front  of  the  box, 
laid  his  left  hand  on  the  railing  in  front,  was  checked  an  instant, 
evidently  by  his  coat  or  pants  being  caught  by  something  or 
held  back  by  somebody.  (It  was  by  Major  Kathbone.)  Mr. 
Ferguson  and  Booth  had  met  in  the  afternoon,  and  conversed, 
being  well  acquainted  with  each  other,  so  that  the  former  im- 
mediately recognized  him.  Booth  took  off  his  hat,  and  holding 
it  in  his  left  hand,  leaned  against  the  wall  behind  him.  In  this 
attitude  he  remained  for  half  a  minute;  then,  adds  Mr^ Fer- 
guson, he  stepped  down  one  step,  put  liis  hand  on  the  door  of 
the  little  corridor  leading  to  the  box,  bent  his  knee  against  it, 
tlie  door  opened,  and  Booth  entered  the  corridor,  and  was,  for 
a  few  moments  hidden  entirely  from  Mr.  Ferguson's  sight. 

A  post  in  front  obstructed  the  view  of  Mr.  Ferguson,  but 
Booth  soon  changed  his  position,  and  again  was  clearly  seen 
by  Mr.  Ferguson.  He  now  had  a  knife  in  his  right  hand,  which 
he  also  laid  on  the  railing,  as  he  already  had  his  left,  and  vaulted 
out.    As  his  legs  passed  between  the  folds  of  the  flags  deco- 


HUM0KOD8   ADVENTURES   OF  A  TOLUNTEEE.  181 

rating  the  box,  his  spur,  which  he  wore  on  the  right  heel,  caught 
the  drapery,  and  brouo-ht  it  down,  tearing  a  strip  with  it.  "When 
he  let  go  the  railing,  he  still  clutched  the  shining  knife.  Booth 
crouched  as  he  fell,  falling  on  one  knee,  and  putting  forth  both 
hands  to  help  himself  recover  an  erect  position,  which  he  did 
with  the  rapidity  and  easy  agility  of  a  practiced  and  accom- 
plished athlete. 

Having  recovered  his  equilibrium  Booth  strode  across  the 
stage  to  the  first  entrance,  passing  behind  the  actor  on  the  stage, 
(Harry  Hawk.)  When  he  reached  the  other  side  of  the  stage, 
just  before  he  became  invisible  by  passing  into  the  entrance, 
he  looked  up,  and  Mr.  Ferguson  heard  him  say:  "  I  have  done 
it,"  and  then  lost  sight  of  him. 

It  appears  from  the  Herald's  account  that  jMajor  Rathbone 
was  not  aware  of  the  presence  of  the  assassin  in  the  box  until 
he  heard  the  pistol,  when,  turning,  he  saw  the  man  within  six 
feet  of  the  President.  The  major  sprang  to  seize  him,  the 
man  struggled,  made  a  thrust  at  the  major's  breast  with  a  knife, 
which  the  major  received  on  his  left  arm  near  the  shoulder, 
when  the  assassin  sprang  from  the  box.  The  major  cried  out: 
"Stop  him  !  "  and  thinking  it  impossible  for  him  to  escape  from 
the  crowd  below,  turned  to  give  the  neccessary  attention  to  the 
President. 

The  President  had  not  changed  his  position,  except  that  his 
eyes  were  closed  and  his  head  slightly  bent  forward.  The  whole 
time  consumed  by  the  assassin  in  entering  the  box,  shooting 
the  President  through  the  head,  and  disappearing,  was  less  than 
thirty  seconds. 

Booth  had  a  horse  at  the  back  door  of  the  theater,  which  he 
mounted,  pronouncing,  as  he  rode  away,  the  motto  of  the  State 
of  Virginia  : 

"  Sic  semper  tyrannusP  (Perish  all  tyrants.) 
The  parting  of  his  family  with  the  dying  Prcsiocnt  is  too  sad 
for  description,  The  blood  oozed  out  from  the  wound  at  the 
back  of  his  head,  he  was  in  a  state  of  syncope,  totally  insens- 
ible until  he  expired.  The  ball  entered  the  head  of  tlie  Pres- 
ident in  the  back  part,  near  the  base  of  the  brain,  took  a  direct 
course  toward  the  right  eye,  struck  the  orbinal  bone,  rebounded 


182        HUMOEOUS  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

and  lodged  several  inches  from  the  surface.     The  ball  was  flat- 
tened. 

It  is  ascertained  that  some  weeks  ago  the  President  had  re- 
ceived several  letters  warning  him  that  an  attempt  would  be 
made  upon  his  life,  but  to  these  he  attached  very  little  import- 
ance. It  was  alwaj's  thought  he  Avas  not  sufficiently  careful  of 
his  individual  safety  on  his  last  visit  to  the  armies  in  Virginia. 

April  18. — The  pickets  encircling  Washington  city,  Friday 
night,  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  parties  who  murdered  the 
President  and  attempted  the  assassination  of  Secretary  Seward 
and  his  sons,  were  fired  upon  at  several  points  by  concealed 
foes. 

Payne,  the  assassin  who  attempted  the  life  of  Mr.  Seward, 
was  taken  last  night,  in  disguise,  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Surratt, 
another  accomplice,  in  Washington. 

Charleston,  South  Carolina,  was  taken  March  1-4,  through 
Sherman"s  movements. 

Major  General  Sherman  has  concluded  a  treaty  with  General 
Joe.  Johnston,  which  is  not  ratitied.  He  is  ordered  to  resume 
hostilities. 

Reverend  Mr.  Adams,  of  Philadelphia,  in  a  recent  discourse, 
speaking  of  an  early  morning  call  upon  Mr.  Lincoln,  made  the 
following  statement : 

''-^'i  Morning  came.  4I  hastened  my  toilet,  and  at  a  quarter  to  5, 
found  myself  in  the  waitiftg  room  of  the  President.  I  asked 
the  usher  if  I  could  see  Mr.  Lincoln.  He  informed  me  that  I 
could  not. 

"  But  I  have  engaged  to  meet  him  this  morning." 

"At  what  hour?" 

"At  6  o'clock." 

"  Well,  sir,  he  will  see  you  at  5." 

I  then  heard  a  voice,  as  if  in  conversation,  and  asked  the 
servant : 

"  Who  is  talking  in  the  next  room?" 

"  It  is  the  President,  sir." 

"  Is  anybody  with  him  ?  " 

"No,  sir;  he  is  reading  the  bible." 

"  Is  that  his  habit  so  early  in  the  morning?** 


HrMOROrS   ADTENTUKES    OF  A  VOLCTST-jfeElfe.  1?3 

"  Yes,  sir ;  he  spends  every  mornincr  from  4  o'clock  to  5,  in 
reading-  the  scriptures  and  praying." 

The  last  writing  done  by  President  Lincoln,  was  the  follow- 
ing: 

"Allow  Mr.  Ashmead  and  friend  to  come  to  me  at  9  A.  M., 
to-morrow,  April  15,  1865." 

The  body  is  embalmed,  in  a  coffin  of  mahogany,  covered 
with  black  cloth,  and  lined  with  lead,  covered  with  white  satin. 
A  silver  plate  on  the  coffin  over  the  breast,  bears  the  following 
inscription : 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLnT 

SIXTEENTH  PRESIDENT  of  the  UNITED  STATES. 
BoRx  JuLT  12,  1S09.  DiEu  April  15,  I8(J5. 

BE 


Atzeroth,  one  of  the  principal  assassins,  is  captured,  and. 
Booth  has  been  traced  to  Port  Tobacco,  Charles  county,  Mary- 
land. 

An  advertisement  was  inserted  in  the  Selma  (Alabama)  Dis- 
patch, offering  "to  take  the  lives  of  President  Lincoln,  Vice 
President  Johnson,  and  Secretary  Seward  for  one  million  of 
dollars  in  Confederate  money."  I  hope  that  advertising  ruffian 
will  be  cauo'ht  and  dealt  with  according  to  what  his  crime  de- 
serves.  ■" 

Jeff.  Davis  is  now  with  Johnston's  army,  ordering  a  battle- 
Johnston  refuses  to  risk  this,  as  he  knows  it  to  be  a  desperate' 
useless,  wanton  resistance  to  the  invincible  legions  of  Sherman  ; 
led,  as  they  are,  by  one  of  the  best  generals  living.  A  man 
like  Jeff.  Davis,  who  could  consign  innocent  prisoners  of  war 
to  the  barbarities  of  Andersonville,  Salisbnry,  and  the  Libby, 
can  not  be  expected  to  practice  any  humanity  toward  his  own 
soldiery. 

The  President's  remains  are  to  be  forwarded  in  a  funeral  traia 
from  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  to  Springhold,  Illinois, 
where  our  late  lamented  President  will  be  interred  according  to 
the  wishes  of  his  family  and  the  arrangements  of  the  State 
authorities. 


184:  nuMOKOus  adventukes  of  a  volunteer. 

A  committee  was  appointed  at  the  opera  house,  in  Cincin- 
nati, to  use  every  effort  to  secure  to  Cincinnati  the  privilege  of 
participating  in  the  faneral  honors  to  our  late  Chief  Magistrate. 
The  following  dispatch  indicates  their  failure  : 

"Washington,  April  19. 
«A.  C.  Sands  : 

"  The  published  programme  is  changed.  In  the  new  arrange- 
ment Cincinnati  can  not  possibly  be  included, 

"  JOHN  BROUGH." 

"Washington,  April  10. 
"A.  C.  Sands  : 

"The  committee  having  charge  of  the  remains  of  the  Presi- 
dent have  decided  that  they  can  not  take  them  via  Cincinnati, 

which  I  much  regret. 

"  W.  DENNISON." 

Disappointed  in  this  effort,  the  committee  endeavored  to  pro- 
cure a  special  train  to  Columbus,  in  order  that  a  delegation  from 
Cincinnati  might  join  in  the  ceremonies  at  the  State  capital. 
But  the  railroads  were  unal)le  to  furnish  a  sufficient  number  of 
cars,  and  all  that  could  be  done  was  to  arrange  with  the  Little 
Miami  railroad  to  furnish  accommodations  on  a  morning  train 
for  a  few  hundred  persons. 

The  names  of  these  honorable  gentlemen  are  worthy  of 
record  in  this  connection,  and  I  hereTespectfully  give  them  to 
the  public :  i        •-, 

Colonel  L.  A.  Harris, 

A.  C.  Sands, 

Thomas  II.  Weasner, 

Benjamin  Eggleston, 

Miles  Greenwood, 

George  F.  Davis. 
Manuel  B.  .'Field,  Esq.,  who  was  present  at  Mr.  Lincoln's 
death  bed,  says: 

"The  President's  eyes,  after  death,  were  not  closed.  I  closed 
them  myself  with  my  fingers,  and  a  surgeon  brought  pennies 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.        185 

21 

and  placed  tliem  on  the  eyes,  but  suusequently  substituted  for 
them  silver  half  dollars.  In  a  very  short  time,  tlie  jaw  com- 
menced slightly  falling,  although  the  body  was  still  warm.  I 
called  attention  to  this,  and  had  it  immediately  tied  up  with  a 
handkerchief. 

"  The  expression  immediately  after  death  was  purely  negative, 
but  in  fifteen  minutes  there  came  over  the  mouth,  the  nostrils, 
and  the  chin,  a  smile  that  seemed  almost  an  eilbrt  of  life.  I 
had  never  seen  upon  the  President's  face  an  expression  more 
genial  and  pleasing. 

The  following  incidents  of  the  last  day  of  his  life  have  been 
obtained  from  several  sources.  His  son.  Captain  Lincoln, 
breakfasted  with  him  on  Friday  morning;  having  just  returned 
from  the  capitulation  of  Lee,  and  the  President  passed  a  happy 
hour  listening  to  all  the  details  while  at  breakfast.  He  heard 
that  Speaker  Colfax  was  in  the  house,  and  sent  word  that  he 
wished  to  see  him  immediately.  He  conversed  with  him 
nearly  an  hour  about  his  future  policy  as  to  the  rebellion, 
which  he  was  about  to  submit  to  the  cabinet. 

A2}ril  20.— A  reward  of  ^100,000  is  oflered  ior  the  arrest  of 
•  John  Wilkes  Booth  to-day  at  Washington,  and  $25,000  for  his 
accomplices. 

Wrote  a  letter  to  President  Johnson,  and  one  to  Secretary 
Stanton  to-day  asking,  begging,  praying  them  to  place  me  on 
any  hazardous  duty  they  deemed  necessary,  in  order  to  act  as 
spy,  or  go  boldly  forth  in  assisting  to  capture  Booth  and  his 
accomplices  ;  that  in  performing  any  duty  they  deemed  neces- 
say,  I,  poor  in  funds  and  property,  as  I  am,  asked  no  pay 
whatever  from  the  United  States  Government,  whose  humble 
and  obedient  servant  I  will  remain  while  life  lasts. 

The  feelings  manifested  by  our  soldiers  against  southern 
people  in  Richmond  and  Petersburg,  Va.,  on  receipt  of  the 
news  of  President  Lincoln's  assassination  has  beenj^somewhat 
allayed,  as  they  proved  themselves  innocent  of  any  complicity 
in  this  horrid  deed.  In  conseciuonce  of  which  the  soldiers 
fraternize  better  than  at  first  with  the  citizens.  Koger  A. 
Prior  stated  in  Petersburg  that  "  he  believed  Mr.  Lincoln  ii.- 
dispensible  to  the  restoration  of  peace,  and  regretted  the  death 


186  HUMOROUS   ADVENTURES   OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

more  than  any  military  mishap  of  the  South."  He  and  the 
Mayor  placed  themseves  at  the  head  of  a  movement  for  a  town 
meeting  to  "  deplore  the  loss  on  both  private  and  public 
grounds."  Both  Petersburg  and  Richmond  are  draped  in 
mourning. 

-  The  only  death  of  occupants  of  the  Presidental  Chair  prior 
■to  the  great  tradegy  of  Good  Friday,  1865,  were  those  of  Wil- 

-  liam  H.  Harrison,  who   died  a  month  after  being  sworn  into 
■  office,  and  was  succeeded  by  John  Tyler;  and  Zachary  Taylor, 

who  died  one  year  and  five  months  after  his  inauguration,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Millard  Fillmore. 

The  exodus  of  the  rebellion  leaders  from  Richmond,  and  the 

J  introduction  of  greenbacks,  brought  down  eggs  from  twenty- 

'  five  dollars  to  thirty  cents  per  dozen,  and  other  things  in  like 

proportion.     The  change  of  base  on  the  part  of  the  confederate 

government,  gave  the  southern  people  something  on  which  to 

change  their  base. 

April  25. — Our  capture  of  rebel  artillery  since  December 
1st,  1864,  is  as  follows:  :'    ■■  •/ 

Capture  by  General  Thomas  from  Hood  on  his  Nashville 
campaign,  72 ;  General  Sherman  at  Savannah,  160 ;  General 
Terry,  General  Schofield  and  Admiral  Porter  from  Fort  Fisher 
to  Wilmington,  inclusive,  180 ;  General  Gilmore  at  Charleston 
from  General  Sherman's  fl^ank  movement,  450 ;  Sherman  en 
route  through  South  and  North  Carolina,  85;  Sheridan  in  the 
Charlotteville  raid,  17 ;  General  Grant  around  Petersburg,  75 ; 
around  and  in  Richmond,  500 ;  Canby  at  Mobile,  Ala.,  75 ; 
Stoneman  at  Salisbury,  19;  Wilson  at  Selman,  22;  grand  total, 
1,665.  ' 

It  is  very  evident  that  in  these  days  of  danger  to  the  arro- 
gant leaders  of  the  South,  (men  who  deserve  no  leniency  from 
the  United  States  Government,)  Lee,  Beauregard  and  Hardee, 
have  little  regard  for  their  wives.  Each  of  these  gentlemea 
proclaimed  in  speeches  published  by  the  press  that  '•  no  lady 
would  be  safe  if  the  Yankees  got  possession  of  their  'sunny 
clime  of  beauty.'"      Notwithstanding  all   this    grand  palaver 

-  Beauregard  lelt  hie  sweet  one  in  New  Orleans  when  General 
Butler  took  possession  of  that  city;  Hardee  left  his  better  half 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTURE3  OF  A  VOLUNTEER.        187 

in  Savannah  General  Sherman  occupied  it,  and  General  Lee 
followed  suit  when  General  Grant's  forces  captured  that  pala- 
tial abode  of  confederate  chivalry. 

Secretary  Stanton  has  promulgated  General  Canby's  official 
report  of  the  occupation  of  Mobile  and  the  capture  of  prisoners, 
guns,  ammunition,  and  cotton  dated  April  21st,  1S(j5. 

Nearly  all  of  Mosby's  command  (guerrillas  and  bushwhack- 
ers,) have  surrendered  to  General  Hancock,  who  commands 
the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps. 

Reliable  information  is  received  of  the  rapid  decrease  of 
•Johnson's  force  by  desertion.  The  majority  of  those  who  cjuit 
the  rebel  service  so  summarily,  go  to  their  homes,  especially 
those  from  North  Carolina  and  Virginia,  who  have  not  a  great 
distance  to  travel.^  If  they  would  only -stand  and  fight  against 
General  Sherman  and  his  force,  the  General's  occupation  would 
soon  be  gone. 

"  Mack"  says :  '•  'Sherman's  bummers'  have  received  full 
justice  at  the  hands  of  the  historians  of  the  late  campaign 
through  the  Carolinas." 

As  good  a  Avriter  and  truthful  a  gentleman  as  "  Mack"  is 
known  to  be,  speaks  plainly  and  awards  them  the  merit  they 
deserve : 

"Thoy  have  generally  been  spoken  of  as  having  rendered 
more  service  to  themselves  than  to  the  army — as  having  been 
actuated  solely  by  a  desire  to '^plunder,  in  all  their  operations. 
Whatever  may  have  been  their  object  on  starting  out  in  the 
morning,  they  frequently  proved  themselves  of  great  value  to 
the  cause  before  they  went  into  camp  at  night,  and  the  confes- 
sions of  many  an  officer  of  rank  go  to  prove  that  the  army 
would  have  gone  to  bed  hungry  a  great  many  times  but  for 
these  identical  men,  to  whom  rather  a  contemptuous  name  has 
been  applied. 

"  The  title  of  '  bummers'  was  given  at  a  very  early  stage  of 
the  late  campaign  to  such  men  as  were  in  the  habit  of  foraging 
on  their  own  account,  independent  of  the  regular  details  made 
for  foraging  on  every  day's  march.  They  generally  lagged  be- 
hind in  the  camps,  until  their  commands  got  started  on  the 
road,  when  they  would  go  off  to  the  right  and  le/t,  taking  by- 


188  HUMOROUS   ADVENTURES   OF  A    VOLUNTEEB. 

ways  and  cow  paths,  and  leaving  the  main  road  to  the  main 
array.  They  generally  managed  to  'concentrate'  before  going 
very  far,  and  by  the  time  all  the  'detachments'  were  up,  there 
was  frequently  a  very  respectable  regiment  of  them. 

"  Their  first  object  was  to  get  transportation  for  their  plunder, 
and  the  first  half  dozen  farm  houses  they  passed  were  laid  under 
contribution  for  rolling  stock  and  motive  power.  Not  disposed 
to  stand  on  ceremony  in  such  matters,  they  would  willingly 
compromise  on  a  buggy  or  four  horse  carriage  if  no  draught 
wagon  was  at  hand  ;  and  would  accept  of  oxen  if  more  lieet- 
footed  animals  were  not  attainable. '  They  generally  managed 
to  load  their  vehicles  in  a  very  short  time,  with  a  miscellaneous 
cargo  of  looking  glasses,  silver  spoons,  china  cups,  live  pigs 
and  chickens,  bacon,  .corn,  butter,  eggs,  hams,  pickled  beef, 
and  fruit. 

"  It  must  be  admitted  that  they  seldom  stopped  at  legitimate 
'forage'  for  man  and  beast,  and  often  appropriated  what  they 
could  not  use  and  did  not  want. 

"On  several  occasions  the  '  bummers'  found  grist  mills  on 
their  route,  aftd  ran  them  for  a  whole  day,  making  cornmeal 
and  flour,  for  want  of  which  the  army  would  otherwise  have 
suffered.  It  was  not  uncommon  for  a  divison  commander  to 
receive  an  'official  dispatch'  from  a  '  bummer'  to  the  effect  that 
if  he  would  send  wagons  to  sucli  and  such  a  mill,  he  would 
receive  so  many  hundred  weight  of  cornmeal  or  flour,  and  this, 
too,  at  a  time  when  prospects  of  a  dearth  of  the  article  so 
generously  proffered  were  looming  up  entirely  too  close  for 
comfort. 

"The  'bummers'  utterly  refuted,  by  their  conduct,  the  oft 
repeated  maxim  that  soldiers  who  steal  won't  fight.  Very  often 
after  wandering  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  from  the  main  column, 
they  foiind  themselves  confronted  by  a  rebel  force  more  than 
their  equals  in  numerical  strength.  Instead  of  beating  a  hasty 
retreat,  as  it  is  commonly  supposed  such  men  would  do  under 
such  circumstances,  they  would  immediately  choose  one  of  the 
number  as  their  commander,  and  'go  for  the  Johnnies'  to  the 
best  of  their  abilities.  If  unable  to  defeat  them  they  would 
erect  rude  fortifications  of  rails  and  logs,  and  behind  these  hold 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEH.        ISO 

the  enemy  in  check  until  they  were  reinforced  by  General 
Sherman. 

"  Not  a  few  of  the  towns  along  the  march  were  captnredby 
the 'bummers,' and  formally  surrendered  to  .them.  On  one 
occasion  General  Howard  actually  received  a  dispatch  from  the 
'  bummers'  stating  that  they  had  captured  a  town  and  request- 
ing that  a  division  be  sent  to  occupy  it,  that  they  (the  bummers) 
might  pass  on !  Rather  cool,  to  be  sure,  for  the  '  bummers'  to 
call  for  a  division  to  take  the  place  of  a  few  hundred  scallywags 
like  themselves,  in  order  that  they  might  go  on  conquering  and 
to  conquer. 

"  The  '  bummers'  proved  themselves  more  valuable  in  finding 
out  the  strength  and  position  of  the  enemy  than  an}'  scouts  or 
cavalry  ever  used  for  that  purpose.  They  covered  both  flanks 
of  the  army,  sometimes  for  a  distance  of  twenty-five  miles,  and, 
between  what  they  found  out  from  actual  observation  and  what 
they  learned  from  citizens,  very  few  facts  connected  with  the 
strength  or  position  of  the  enemy  could  possibly  escape  their 
knowledge. 

The  results  of  '  bumming'  are  apparent  in  every  company, 
regiment,  brigade,  division,  and  corps  in  the  army.  I  was  im- 
pressed with  this  fact  in  a  visit  to  some  of  the  boys  in  their 
improved  dwellings  behind  the  fortifications.  At  one  comfort- 
able little  shantv,  occupied  by  ten  or  twelve  privates,  I  asked 
for  a  drink  of  water,  and  the  aqueous  fluid  was  poured  from  a 
silver  pitcher  into  as  fine  a  wine  goblet  as  ever  we  need  wish 
to  use,  and  which,  a  few  weeks  since,  was  considered  good 
enough  to  grace  the  lips  of  South  Carolina  aristocrats.  In  an- 
other I  found  a  corporal  scanning  the  pages  of  'Shakespeare's 
Heroines,'  a  costly  volume,  full  of  beautiful  portraits  of  the 
eminent 'female  characters  of  English  drama.  Pie  did  n't  quite 
like  the  appearance  of  Cleopatra,  and  was,  as  he  thought,  im- 
proving it  by  the  addition  of  a  moustache  from  a  lead  pencil. 
There  is  scarcely  a  regiment  m  the  whole  army  that  has  not 
horses  and  buggies,  and  most  of  the  division  and  corps  head- 
quarters sport  barouches  and  carriages  fine  enough  to  elicit 
admiration  in  front  of  A.  T.  Stewart's,  on  "Broadway.  As  for 
fine  saddle  horses,  the  colonel  or  general  who  rides  an  animal 


190  :       HUMOKOUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

without  a  historical  pedigree,  and  a  name  intimately  connected 
with  southern  race  courses,  must  be  regarded  as  unpopular,  and 
uijder  the  bann  of  the  bummers,  who  would  scorn  to  see  one 
of  their  favorites  on  a  common  steed.  General  Blair  rides  a 
horse  that  has  carried  off  the  premium  at  half  a  dozen  trotting 
matches,  and  so  of  nearly  every  other  commanding  officer  here. 
A  people  less  disloyal  than  the  citizens  of  Goklsboro  would 
have  prepared  a  race  track  for  the  accommodation  of  the  army 
before  its  arrival  here." 

This  statement  of  "Mack"  is  true  in  every  sense  of  the  word. 
There  were  as  brave  men  in  this  consolidation  of  so-called 
"  bummers"  as  could  generally  be  found  in  any  other  body  of 
men.  I  myself  am  aware  that  they  were  called  "  bummers" 
by  a  certain  officer  who  was  unpopular  with  the  regiment  he 
commanded,  and  so  far  as  I  know  remains  so  to  this  day. 

April  26. — A  party  in  pursuit  of  the  assassin  Booth,  and  his 
accomplices,  arrived  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Mudd,  on  the  18th  of 
this  mouth,  and  asked  if  any  strangers  had  been  there,  and  he 
said  no.  He  denied  that  two  men  had  been  there,  one  with  a 
broken  leg.  Was  informed  of  the  assassination  in  church,  on 
Sunday  morning,  and  appeared  uneasy.  lie  was  arrested  on 
the  21st,  when  a  boot  marked  "J.  Wilkes  Bootli"  was  found  in 
his  house.  Mrs.  Mudd  said  that  the  doctor  had  set  the  leg  of 
its  owner  at  1  P.  M.  Dr.  Mudd  said  they  came  on  horseback. 
Mrs.  Mudd  said  they  left  on  foot. 

Jett  and  two  other  southerners  met  Harold  and  Booth  in  a 
wagon,  near  Fauquier,  when  Harold,  thinking  they  were  raising 
a  command  to  go  south,  said  : 

"  I  would  like  to  go  with  you.  We  are  the  assassins  of  the 
President." 

These  men  were  shocked  to  hear  this  plain  confession,  yet 
one  of  them.  Lieutenant  Ruggles,  allowed  Booth  to  ride  his 
horse.  Booth  said  he  wanted  to  pass  under  the  name  of  Boyd. 
They  then  all  went  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Garrett,  where  Booth 
was  left. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Conger,  Lieutenants  Baker  and  Dougherty 
with  a  squad  of  cavalry  in  pursuit  of  the  assassins,  met  Jett 
at  a  hotel,  in  Bowling  Green,  and  arrested  him,  as  they  heard 


HrjMOEOUS   ADVENTUEE3    OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  191 

lie  liackcrossed  the  river  -with  Booth,  which  he  confessed.     lie 
said  : 

"  I  can  show  you  where  they  are  now.    They  are  at  Garrett's 
house." 

Garrett's  house,  three  miles  from  Port  Royal,  was  surrounded/" 
and  Lieutenant  Baker  ordered  a  light  struck  in  the  house,  and 
asked  Mr.  Garrett  where  the  men  were  who  had  stopped  at  his 
house. 

"They  have  gone  in  the  woods,"  he  answered. 

""^hereabouts  in  the  woods?  -  I  want  no  stories.  Tell  me 
where  they  are." 

^Garrett  commenced  to  repeat  the  same  tale,  when  Lieutenant 
Baker.,ordered  one  of  the  men  to  bring  him  a  lariat,  threatening 
to  hang  Garrett  to  a  tree,  when  one  of  his  sons  said  they  were 
in  the  barn.  The  barn  was  surrounded  and  men  were  heard 
talking  inside  of  it.  Lieutenant  Baker  ordered  them  to  sur- 
render  or  the  barn  would  be  fired  in  'five  minutes.  Booth 
wanted  to  know  who  they  were.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Conger 
told  Baker  not  to  let  him  know,  as  Booth  might  take  them  for 
rebels,  and  they, would  take  advantage  of  it,,  , Lieutenant  Baker 
said:  -,  ,  .,  _.  ,  !    .  ;>^fji  "> 

"  It  makes  no  difference  who  we  are.  You  had  better  come 
out." 

"  Here  is  a  man  who  had  nothing  to  do  with  it,"  Booth  said,  ■ 
and  Harold  came  out. 

Booth  not  obeying  orders  used  every  endeavor  to  kill  as 
many  of  the  party  as  he  possibly  could,  and  would  have  suc- 
ceeded in  taking  one  or  two  lives  had  not  Sergeant  Boston 
Corbett  through  a  crack  in  the  barn  taken  aim  at  Booth,  and 
shot  him  through  the  head.  The  assassin  only  lived  a  few 
minutes  after  in  the  agonies  of  death,  when  he  ought  to  have 
suilered  days  or  weeks  ere  he  sank  to  the  fiery  abode  Satan  is 
ruler  of. 

Ajon7  26.— This  noticable  day  General  Joe  Sohnson,  of  con- 
federate notoriety,  discovered  the  uselessness  of  prolonging  this 
nearly  extinguished  civil  warfare,  against  Major  General  Sher- 
man, and  surrendered  to  his  "Union  army  with  all  the  con- 
federates in  his,  Johnson's,  department. 


192  HUMOROUS  ADVENT*UBi§   OF  A  f  OtUNlTEEE. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  Bragg,  Hardee,  Rhoddy,'Lyons, 
Forrest,  and  other  rebel  leaders  had  joined  Johnston  in  North 
Carolina,  yet  he  been  badly  beaten  five  miles  from  Fayette- 
ville  by  Kilpatrick  and  two  divisions  under  General  Slocum  at 
Moore's  Cross  Roads,  where  they  held  a  strong  position  between 
Cape  Fear  and  Black  rivers;  and  Averysborough,  Goldboro, 
Bentonville,  South  Edisto,  Columbia,  Raleigh,  Charleston,  Sal- 
kehatchie,  Selma,  and  dozens  of  other  places,  he  held  on  until 
he  saw  it  was  useless  to  contend  any  farther  against  Western 
soldies,  who  could  whip  his  forces  even  were  they  thret'  to 
th6ir  one  in  numerical  strength,  and  so  he  surrendered. 

Jeff  Davis  was  with  Johnson  previous  to  this,  but  just  before 
it  happened,  he  secretly  left  his  quarters,  and  with  the  princi- 
pals of  the  secesh  government  skedaddled. 

"Ye  Southern  heroes  wake  to  glory, 
Hark,  hark,  Jeff  Davis  bids  you  rise; 
Your  dames  and  grfi«d  dames  hoary. 
Behold  their  petty-coat-ed  sighs,"  &c.,  &c. 

General  Sherman's  military  skill,  combined  with  his  accu- 
racy of  detailed  movements  and  knowledge  of  forthcoming 
events,  w^ould  almost  lead  one  to  believe  him  a  real  military 
prophet.  To  show  a  portion  of  his  accuracy :  On  the  day  be- 
fore Sherman  moved  from  Dalton,  upon  his  march  through 
Georgia,  a  member  of  his  staff  at  headquarters  wrote  to  a 
friend : 

"  We  go  to-morrow.  You  will  hear  of  us  on  the  coast  at 
Christmas." 

He  ate  his  Christmas  dinner  at  Savannah,  Georgia.  On  the 
31st  of  January,  1865,  the  same  officer  wrote  to  his  friend  once 
more :. 

"  You  will  hear  of  us  in  three  weeks  on  the  coast  of  North 
Carolina." 

On  the  22d  of  February  Wilmington  was  evacuated  by  the 
rebels,  and  Sherman's  base  was  established  on  the  coast  of 
Carolina. 

In  consequence  of  these  national  successes  the  newspapers 
at  Richmond  represented  them  all  as  "blessings  in  disguise  ; " 
and  a  fortunate  event  for  the  rebellion.    Granting  this,  how 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER,        193 

could  the  secesli  obtain  their  full  supplies  of  arms  as  hereto- 
fore ?  How  dispose  of  cotton  from  the  land  where  "cotton  is 
king?"  How  pay  their  internal  revenue?  But  enough  it  is 
to  say,  as  a  gentleman  did,  not  long  since  : 

"  It  is  not  the  sword  alone  that  ends  every  war;  it  is  the 
sense  of  the  power  of  the  sword.  That  consciousness  conquers 
the  mind  and  then  the  mere  muscle  relaxes." 

The  glorious  progress  of  Sherman  led  the  rebel  papers  to 
assert  that  the  states  through  which  he  passed  were  abandoned 
to  women  and  children,  therefore  Sherman's  progress  was  un- 
opposed. Discrepancy  betrays  falsehood.  Johnston,  Rhoddy, 
Beauregard,  Hardee,  Hampton,  Lyons,  Forrest,  and  several 
other  rebel  leaders,  with  seemingly  ample  forces  to  contest  tlie 
advance  movements  of  General  Sherman,  and  having  a  full 
knowledge  of  the  topography  of  the  then  war  path,  failed  to 
impede  the  progress  of  General  Sherman's  braves,  and  no 
wonder  these  foxes  fled  when  they  found  a  lion  in  their  chosen 
path. 

* 

CAPTURE  OF  JEFF.  DAVIS. 

A  brief  dispatch  from  General  Wilson,  commander  of  the 
Union  cavalry  in  Georgia,  dated  May  10,  announces  the  capture 
of  Jeff.  Davis,  with  all  his  private  and  military  family,  includ- 
ing Postmaster  General  Keagan,  that  day.  Other  confirmatory 
dispatches  followed,  among  which  was  the  following,  giving 
details : 

Macon,  Georgia,  May  13—9:30  A.  M. 
Honorable  E.  31.  Stanton,  Secretary  of  War  : 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Hardin,  commanding  the  1st  Wisconsin 
cavah-y,  has  just  arrived  from  Irwinsville.  He  struck  the  trail 
of  Davis  at  Dublin,  Lawrence  county,  on  the  evening  of  the 
7th,  and  followed  him  closely,  night  and  day,  tlirougli  tlie  pine 
wilderness  of  Alligator  creek  and  Green  swamp,  via  Cumber- 
land, to  Irwinsville.  At  Cumberlandsvillc  Colonel  Harding 
met  Colonel  Pritchard  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  picked  men 
of  the  4th  Michigan  cavalry.  Hardin  followed  the  trail  directly 
south,  while  Pritchard,  having  fresh  liorscs,  pushed  down  the 
Ocmulgce  towards  Plopewell,  and  thence,  by  House  creek,  to 
13 


104        HUMOKOUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  YOLUNTEEE. 

Irwinsville,  arriving  there  at  midnight  on  the  9th.     Davis  had 
not  arrived. 

From  a  citizen  Pritchard  learned  that  the  fugitives  were 
camped  two  miles  oat  of  the  town.  lie  made  disposition  of 
his  men,  and  surrounded  the  camp  of  the  rebel  chief  before 
day. 

Hardin  had  camped,  at  9  P.  M.,  within  two  miles,  as  he  after- 
ward learned,  of  Davis  and  his  party.  The  trail  being  too  in- 
distinct to  follow  he  pushed  on  at  3  o'clock,  and  went  but  little 
more  than  a  mile  when  his  advance  was  fired  on  by  the  4ih 
Michigan. 

A  fight  ensued,  both  parties  exhibiting  the  greatest  determ- 
ination. Fifteen  minutes  elapsed  before  the  mistake  was  dis- 
covered. The  firing  in  the  skirmish  was  the  first  warning  Jefi". 
Davis  received.  The  captors  report  that  he  hastily  put  on  one 
of  his  wife's  dresses  and  started  for  the  woods  closely  followed 
by  our  men,  who  at  first  thought  him  a  woman,  but  seeing  his 
boots  while  he  was  running,  they  immediately  suspected  his 
sex. 

The  race  was  a  short  one,  and  the  rebel  President  was  soon 
brought  to  bay.  He  brandished  a  bowie  knife,  and  showed 
signs  of  battle,  but  yielded  promptly  to  the  persuasion  of  Colt's 
revolvers,  evidently  preferring  not  to  compel  the  men  to  use 
them. 

He  expressed  great  indignation  at  the  energy  with  which  he 
was  pursued,. saying  that  he  had  thought  our  government  more 
magnanimous  than  to  hunt  down  women  and  children.  Mrs. 
Davis  remarked  to  Colonel  Hardin,  after  the  excitement  was 
over,  that  the  men  had  better  not  provoke  the  President,  as  he 
might  hurt  somebody. 

Reagan  conducted  himself  with  a  great  deal  of  dignity  and 
resignation. 

Tiie  party  was  evidently  making  for  the  coast. 

J.  H.  WHSON, 
Brevet  Major  General. 

The  history  of  the  world  does  not  record  an  instance  where 
a  rebellion  of  such  gigantic  proportions,  undertaken  under 


HUMOKOUS   ADVENTUKES    OF  A  VOLUNTEER.  105 

circumstances  so  favoraljle,  witli  snch  high  promise  of  success 
by  vigorous  prosecution,  with  such  lofty  pretensions  to  exclu- 
sive military  skill  of  the  chivalric  order,  that  so  infjloriouBly 
ended  as  this  great  southern  insurrection.  The  last  act  of  this 
drama  reduces  it  to  an  insignilicant  farce.  Jeff.  Davis,  M'hose 
boastings  have  obtained  a  world-wide  renown,  and  who,  eyery 
one  thought,  would,  in  any  emergenc}',  assert  the  dignity  and 
vindicate  the  chivalric  claims  of  tiie  South,  when  overtaken  in 
his  flight,  literally  "melted  down  in  his  boots,"  and  endeavored 
to  skulk  away  in  petticoats.  An  act  so  cowardly  has  lowered 
him  in  the  estimation  of  every  honorable  man  so  much  that 
few,  if  any,  can  be  fonnd  who  will  speak  of  him  otherwise  than 
as  one  beneath  contempt.  Now,  even  his  foreign  aiders  and 
abettors  will  scorn  him,  and  there  will  be  found  none  in  this 
whole  world  so  poor  as  to  do  reverence  to  this  boasting, 
blustering  coward. 

He  stands  forth,  a  beacon  light  to  warn  others  of  the  folly  of 
crime,  even  though  the  chief  actor  be,  for  a  time, clothed  with 
power,  lords  it  over  his  fellow  men,  and  lives  sumptuously  every 
day.  Had  he  loved  his  country'  as  a  United  States  senator  and 
secretary  of  war  should  always  do ;  had  he  revered  the  noble 
constitution  which  gave  him  a  name  witli  half  the  ardor  with 
which  he  sought  to  trample  it  in  the  dust,  he  would  now  stand 
as  one  of  the  first  men  in  the  land.  He  commenced  a  glorious 
career  which  an  unholy  ambition  has  brought  to  an  inglorious 
termination. 

JeffeVson  Davis  was  chosen  Provisional  President  of  the 
Confederate  States  February  4,  ISGl^  and  re-elected  in  18G2  for 
the  term  of  six  years,  not  much  more  than  one-half  of  which 
time  he  had  the  power  to  act.  He  has  been  the  marplot  of 
almost  every  one  of  the  rebel  campaigns,  and  has  done  more 
by  his  obstinacy,  envy,  jealousy,  and  malice  to  destroy  the  unity 
and  effectiveness  of  his  government  and  its  armies  than  any 
other  of  its  leaders. 

If  the  Confederacy  had  possessed  a  leader  less  obstinate  in 
the  pursuit  of  bad  plans,  less  envious  of  the  fame  of  his  sub- 
ordinates, and  less  quarrelsome  generally,  it  might  have  existed 
for  a  short  time  longer. 


196        HUMOKOUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEER. 

The  first  wife  of  the  arch  traitor  was  the  daughter  of  Zaehary 
Taylor.  His  present  wife  is  Verina  Howell,  daughter  of  Gen- 
eral Howell,  of  New  Jersej^  She  is  still  a  young  woman  with 
a  family  of  four  children. 

Major  General  Wilson  was  born  in  Illinois  in  1840,  entered 
West  Point  as  cadet  in  1856,  graduated  fifth  in  his  class  June 
oO,  1860,  and  was  appointed  brevet  second  lieutenant  topograph- 
ical engineers,  and  made  first  lieutenant  of  his  corps  in  Sep- 
tember of  the  following  year ;  conducted  reconnoisances  up 
Savannah  river,  and  discovered  a  passage  for  gunboats  drawing 
ten  feet,  clear  of  the  guns  of  Fort  Pulaski.  November  2, 1862, 
was  appointed  inspector  general,  and  ordered  to  report  to  Gen- 
eral Grant,  by  whom  he  was  assigned  to  General  McPhersou 
as  chief  ofstafi".  Showed  skill  before  Vicksburg  and  Chatta- 
nooga to  such  an  extent  that  he  was  nominated  brigadier  gen- 
eral of  volunteers,  to  date  from  October  30,  1863,  upon  the 
recommendation  of  Lieutenant  General  Grant. 

Served  under  General  Sheridan  in  command  of  a  cavalry 
corps,  operating  in  the  vicinity  of  Pichmond  aud  Petersburg, 
and  was  promoted  to  major  general  for  distinguished  services, 
to  date  from  October  5,  1864:.  Shortly  afterward  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  was  placed  in  com- 
mand of  the  cavalry  corps.  His  gallant  services  at  the  battle 
of  Nashville,  and  in  the  routing  of  Hood's  army,  will  be  long 
remembered.  Routing  Phoddy,  Forrest,  Lyon,  and  Chalmers, 
with  their  combined  forces,  capturing  Selma  and  Montgomery, 
Alabama,  sweeping  across  Georgia  until  he  reached  Savannah, 
all  these  things  will  also  be  remembered  by  every  one  knowing- 
it  was  a  portion  of  his  cavalry  corps  which  had  the  honor  of 
putting  a  climax  to  the  downfall  of  the  rebellion,  by  capturing 
its  prime  mover  and  leader. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  B.  J.  Pritchard,  commanding  the  4th 
Michigan  cavaby,  has  the  glory  of  this  crowning  act.  It  is 
unnecessary  to  repeat  here  the  series  of  skillful  and  quickly 
executed  movements,  under  the  immediate  control  of  Colonel 
Pritchard,  which  resulted  in  Davis's  capture.  It  is  hoped  this 
satifactory  success  is  but  the  forerunner  of  a  more  definite  ter- 
mination of  the  rebel  ex-Presideut's  career. 


HUMOEO  S  ADVENTURES  OF  A  TOLU   .i-ER.        197 

In  contradiction  to  all  tlicse  trnths,  an  Englisli  paper,  (the 
London  Standard,  nsually  called  "Sairy  Gamp,"  by  Punch,) 
lat«]y  had  an  article  on  the  rebellion  and  Jeff.  Davis  that  was 
quite  refreshing.  We  learn  from  this  that  ''the  civil  war  is  not 
yet  over ;"  that  "the  southerners  continue  defiant ;"  that  'Hlie 
male  southerners  with  blood  in  their  eyes,  disdain  to  take  the 
oath  of  allegiance  ;"  that  "the  North  is  already  exhausted  and 
unable  to  continue  the  war  with  the  Texas  rebels;"  and  that 
"as  soon  as  the  military  forces  are  withdrawn  the  independent 
State  governments  will  spring  up,  elastic  and  defiant."  There 
is  much  more  to  the  same  effect,  and  the  good  Mrs.  Gamp  re- 
joices at  the  "disagreeable  surprise"  its  "announcements"  will 
cause  among  "  Federal  sympathizers." 

The  Standard  then  turns  to  Mr.  Jefferson  Davis,  and  draws 
a  glowing  picture  of  the  petticoat  traitor,  in  the  course  of  which 
it  says : 

"  President  Davis,  we  are  happy  to  say,  has  not  yet  fallen 
into  the  hands  of  the  sleuth  hounds  who  have  been  set  npon 
his  track.  If  the  worst  should  befall  him,  and  his  escape  be 
found  impossible,  it  i>s  supposed  that  he  will  die  fighting,  rather 
than»fall  into  their  hands.  Such  a  death  of  such  a  man  would 
enlist  the  sympathy  of  all  Europe  in  the  cause  of  a  suffering 
people  ;  but  his  life  and  leadership  would  be  preferred  by  that 
people  to  his  martyrdom.  The  spectacle  of  this  heroic  leader 
at  bay,  with  his  two  tliousand  followers  among  the  myriads  of 
the  North,  disdaining,  while  living,  to  surrender  the  cause  for 
which  he  has  struggled  during  those  terrible  four  years,  is  of 
such  absorbing  interest  to  the  whole  civilized  world,  that  all 
political  topics  pale  into  insignificance  beside  it,  and  the  atten- 
tion of  mankind  is  fascinated  by  it  in  a  long  drawn  agony  of 
mingled  hopes  and  fears." 

One  can  imagine  the  mortification  t>f  the  Standard  when  the 
pittiable  condition  of  the  chief,  "disdaining  to  surrender,"  is 
contrasted  with  its  highly  wrought  fancies. 

The  London  Times,  another  sccesh  sympathizing  sheet,  is  m 
the  same  predicament  with  the  Standard,  in  regard  to  mortili- 
cation. 

Just  before  the  fall  of  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  an  English 


188        HUM0E0U8  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEE. 

correspondent  of  the  Times,  writing  to  London  of  the  condition 
of  afiairs,  described  in  glowing  colors  the  real  state  of  the 
public  mind. 

"  There  is,"  said  he,  "croaking  and  dismay,  decrepitude  and 
infirmity  of  purpose  and  irresolution.  Many  of  the  original 
secessionists — the  fire-eaters  of  the  New  York  Tribune — who 
once  mocked  at  Old  A^irginia  because  she  was  so  slow  to  tread 
the  thorny  path  to  which  South  Carolina  lured  heron,  but  who, 
now  faint  by  the  way,  prattle  of  'the  best  terms  that  can  be  ob- 
tained of  a  magnanimous  foe;'  while  by  some  lips  the  ominous 
and  once  called  traitorous  word,  'reconstruction,'  is  audibly 
pronounced." 

On  the  heels  of  this  our  troops  entered  the  city.  They  found 
a  curious  confirmation.  The  result  was  a  feeling  in  favor  of 
peace  at  any  price. 

May  20,  18G5.— Payne,  Harold,  Atzeroth,  Mrs.  Surratt,  Dr. 
Mudd,  Arnold,  O'Laughlin,  and  Spangler,  with  others  of  the 
murderous  crew  who  assassinated  our  noble  President  and  at- 
tempted to  kill  the  secretary  of  state,  are  on  trial,  and  will  meet 
the  fate  due  all  villains  who  were  engaged  in  this  cold  blooded 
atrocity. 

Jeff.  Davis  is  safe  and  secure  in  Fortress  Monroe,  where  he, 
too,  will,  sooner  or  later,  meet  the  fate  he  so  richly  deserves — • 
hnprisonment  or  transportation  for  life. 

Alexander  11.  Stephens,  Confederate  ex-Vice  President,  is 
in  a  similar  "fix,"  but  as  he  is  not  one-third  part  as  guilty  as 
Jeff.,  it  is  hoped  he  will  not  suffer  so  lengthy  an  imprisonment 
as  his  leader,  nor  be  held  in  the  worthy  contempt  of  every 
honorable  minded  Union  man,  as  said  Jeff.  Davis  ever  ought 
to  be  while  he  lives.  To  Stephens's  credit,  be  it  said,  he  was 
captured  honorably,  at  his  own  home,  in  manly  attire,  and  feels 
that  Kirby  Smith,  Wigfall,  Flournoy,  Marmadukc,  Magruder, 
Shelby,  Ilindman,  and  others  of  sccesh  notoriety,  at  present  in 
Mexico,  are  not  in  as  safe  a  condition,  or  as  secure  an  one,  as 
himself  this  day,  even  in  his  prison.  Why  should  they  feel  so  ? 
Are  not  many  of  them  Neroitcs  Avho  often  assisted  in  the  cold 
bleoded  murders  of  captured  Union  soldiers,  and  drained  our 
noble  nation  of  some  of  its  best  blood.     Let  such  tyrants  per- 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTUEE3  OF  A  VOLUNTEEE.        190 

isli,  as  all  such  inhuman  beasts  should,  in  a  foreign  land  where 
no  freedom  exists.  Look  out,  Maximilian  !  We  want  no  new 
majesties  in  our  republican  land,  for,  thanks  to  our  great  Cre- 
ator, peace  and  Union  now  joins  the  goddess  of  liberty,  and 
freely  illustrates  Yankee  character  on  both  sides  of  Mason  and 
Dixon's  line. 

We  have  fought  "many  good  fights,"  and  won  the  largest 
number  of  victories  of  any  nation  on  this  broad  earth.  The 
dews  of  heaven  are  hardly  more  plentiful,  and  wet  the  soil  of 
our  land  from  the  northern  lakes  to  the  southern  gulf,  from 
ocean  to  ocean,  with  scarcely  more  verdure  than  the  dews  of 
blood  drained  from  the  veins  of  our  best  beloved.  Thousands 
of  little  mounds  mark  where  they  lie,  and  thousands  of  unknown 
graves  tell  the  story  of  their  valor  and  noble  sacrifice  to  their 
country.  "All  point,  like  loadstones  to  the  polar  star,  to  the 
nation's  progress." 

July  7,  1865. — Yesterday  the  accomplices  of  Booth,  namely, 
Payne  alias  Powell,  Harold,  Atzeroth,  and  Mrs.  Surratt,  paid 
the  penalty  of  their  deeds  in  being  executed  by  hanging  at 
Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  while  Arnold,  Spangler, 
O'Laughlin,  and,  last  but  not  least,  Dr.  Mudd,  were  sent  to  the 
Dry  Tortugas  to  spend,  as  they  well  deserve,  a  portion  of  their 
lives,  as  accomplices  not  so  deep  in  crime  as  the  former,  yet 
fully  deserving  the  penalties  inflicted  upon  them. 

Mrs.  Surratt  may  not  have  beea  as  guilty  as  is  supposed  by 
some,  but  the  evidence  being  so  conclusive  against  her,  by  re- 
liable witnesses,  it  was  out  of  the  power  of  tlie  military  com- 
mission which  tried  and  sentenced  her,  to  do  otherwise.  If  she 
was  innocent,  as  Payne  declared  before  his  death,  may  she  rest 
in  peace. 

July  31. — The  9th  Ohio  volunteer  cavalry  having  been  or- 
dered to  disband,  were  mustered  out  of  service  at  Lexington, 
North  Carolina,  July  20, 18G5,  and  arrived  at  Columbus,  Ohio, 
where  they  were  to  be  paid  off  j^esterday. 

Let  the  United  States  ever  Xeel  proud  of  such  military  gen- 
iouses  as  General  U.  S.  Grant,  General  W.T.  Slierman,  General 
Philip  Sheridan,  General  Thomas,  General  Kilpatrick,  General 
Rousseau,  General  Wilson,  General  Rosecranse,  Generals  Pope, 


200 


HUMOROUS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  VOLUNTEEE. 


McPherson,  Lew.  Wallace^  McCook,  Stoneman,  Cox,  Dodge 
Schofield,  Meade,  Terry,  Canbj,  Logan,  and  Steadman. 

Add  to  them  the  government  functionaries  who  have  ably, 
honorably,  and  successfully  used  their  best  exertions  to  close 
the  great  rebellion,  and  my  humble  work  is  ended  :  President 
Abraham  Lincoln,  President  Andrew  Johnson,  Secretary  W.  H. 
Seward,  Judge  Chase,  and.  several  other  liigh  minded  public 
se^-vants  not  named  here. 


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